Help Me Choose: Operating Systems

Overview

The operating system is one of the most important programs on your computer.

Every PC must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the monitor, keeping track of files and directories on the hard disk, and controlling devices such as optical drives and printers. Operating systems also manage how your computer accesses available networks.

 

 Choose... If you... Features*
Windows® 7 Home Premium Plan to create a home network
Enjoy multimedia entertainment on your PC or personalizing it with photos and wallpapers
  • Create ad hoc wireless networks
  • Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC
Windows® 7 ProfessionalWant all the features in Windows® 7 Home Premium and… 
 Are a small or medium organization looking to work from anywhere
  • Location aware printing
  • Mobility center with presentation settings
  • Remote desktop host
 Are concerned about safeguarding your organization
  • Encrypting file system
  • Advanced backup
 Want to move to Windows® 7 but concerned your applications aren't compatible
  • Remote Desktop Host
  • XP Mode*
Windows® 7 UltimateWant all the features in Windows® 7 Professional and… 
 Need to manage multiple languages and operating systems
  • Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI)
  • License Rights to Four Virtual Operating Systems
  • Subsystem for Unix
 Would like to encrypt data on your PC and portable storage devices to help protect against loss
  • BitLockerTM and BitLockerTM to Go
 Have remote users who need seamless access to corporate networks without connecting to a virtual private network (VPN) 
  • DirectAccess*
 Want to decrease the time branch office users spend waiting to download files across the network 
  • Branch Cache*
 Prefer to centrally manage what software is allowed to run on users' PCs 
  • AppLocker*
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional or Windows® 7 Ultimate with downgrade to Windows XP Professional preinstalled Are not ready to install Windows® 7 and… 
 Would like the flexibility to migrate to Windows® 7 on your schedule
  • Dell will preinstall Windows XP Professional and give you the DVD to install Windows® 7 Professional or Windows® 7 Ultimate when you're ready.

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