Microsoft Puts Limits on Windows 7 Netbook Specs
According to several reports, Microsoft plans to limit which netbooks can run Windows 7 and which can’t with a list of maximum hardware specs for little machines running the OS.
Microsoft has set limitations for netbooks to ensure Windows 7 netbooks will stay as cheap, low end laptops. Unfortunately, the specs laid out on TechARP don’t exactly leave room for netbook technology to progress.
With netbooks becoming increasingly popular with students and casual computer users choosing netbooks over actual notebooks and expecting them to fill the shoes of a regular notebook, there had been hope we’d see the little notebooks grow a little with Windows 7. That’s looking less likely with these limits:
*Screens cannot exceed 10.2 inches
*Maximum 1 GB of RAM
*Maximum 250 GB HDD or 64 SSD
*CPU must not exceed 2 GHz, and have a CPU thermal design power that is less than or equal to 15 W, not including the graphics and chipset.
So how 'bout it, would you shell out the extra cash for an ultraportable notebook? Before we knew anything of the Windows 7 specs limits we were already feeling confined by the ones for XP. Now we're even more tempted to buy the more expensive option. Then again, that's exactly what Microsoft wants with this, so go figure.

As I could not see Windows 7 Ultimate checking the specs then the manufacturers website and saying sorry the manufacturer calls this a Netbook but it is too powerful Windows 7 is now being disabled.
If a netbook was just a bit more powerful I would be happy to get it, even if it was in the 300+ range. I have a desktop for gaming and stuff like that, but laptops need to be quick for me to be useful. I can't wait for em to r load java and flash and quick time. Just cause I'm not gaming don't mean they don't have to run multi-media stuff quickly.
I wondering are these max specs for Windows 7 starter?
i personally would stay away from that version of windows an run a windows XP or something on my 2Gb of ram netbook.
Again, at the risk of tom's hardware moderator erasing my post, Microsoft can go **** themselves.
I don't really care either way, i have an Microsoft MVP in the family, so a I get anything Microsoft makes for free =P
That being said, if you're willing to pay for the os, you should still be able to use it on whatever hardware hardware.
To use the internet but NOT youtube? (maybe ion can fix this?)
Damn, hell no.. I won't go down from 13" displays. 13 is already too small. My notebook is a DV5 (15,4"), Turion X2, Radeon 3200.. Just cuz netbooks are lighter than notebooks that doesn't mean we should accept worst specs than what we are used to.
I love a bit of gaming and I can run TF2/HL2/Burnout Paradise and other games on my notebook. God forbid I miss that action..
I do see that older ppl that are not used to computers using it because it's portable (way more than a notebook), have a long lasting battery (but at the expense of the specs), and can be used anywhere as long as you are using 3G networks or on a WiFi zone.
Personally? I really don't have good arguments if I have to explain to someone why buy a netbook.
I guess it doesn't hurts them that bad, they can afford it.
I wonder how many netbook models are beyond those specs anyway... and how many will be, by the time win7 is released
It would have been nice if the author of this article would have mentioned the win7 versions these limits apply to...