Apply only if you own a netbook – after all, that’s the gist of it for individuals who received e-mails from Microsoft, inviting them to test a “specialized” version of Windows 7 that will run on less than stellar hardware.

Read the email and see if there is anything between the lines that we’ve missed. According to the specification sheet, it seems as though the target market would be netbooks despite the fact that DVD drives are listed as well.

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Your geographic location may make you a good candidate for this providing feedback on this specialized version of Windows 7. “You are invited to join a beta trial for a specialized version of Windows 7. You will still have access to the Windows 7 Ultimate SKU, in addition you will be able to test this additional SKU.

After all, Microsoft’s latest earnings report showed that they made less money on the Windows front with one of the factors attributed to the rise of netbooks that run on Windows XP, which obviously has a much lower profit margin compared to Vista.

Do you think this step is taken since they know the netbook tide won’t stop?