Windows 7 Available on October 22nd

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKN0235338320090602' target='_blank'>http://uk.reuters.com/article/techn...235338320090602</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Microsoft Corp said on Tuesday its new Windows 7 operating system will be generally available on October 22, well ahead of its original schedule and in time for the holiday shopping season. The new operating system, which will replace the unpopular Vista, was originally planned for roll-out at the beginning of next year, but Microsoft confirmed last month that it would hit the market in time for the year's busiest buying period."</em></p><p>And there you have it folks, the day has been announced: October 22nd will be when Windows 7 is sitting on retail shelves. The RTM of Windows 7 is going to be around the end of July - giving Microsoft almost two months to polish up the OS and squash the most serious bugs. No news yet on the pricing of Windows 7 or, and this is important to me, the way Microsoft will price upgrade bundles for homes with multiple Windows Vista computers. I hope they come up with something smart, because this matters more now than it did in the XP to Vista transition.</p>

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Mmm. For once I'm thinking of buying it shortly after release. Running Windows 7 RC1 here on the new rig and it's looking good so far.

[Stinger]

I'm happily running Vista now but I got burnt when it first came out. Bought Vista Home Premium on the day it came out along with a "certified for vista" motherboard. Turns out that a driver issue meant that they weren't compatible after all.

I think I'm going to hang back six months on Windows 7.

[Bob Christensen]

Depends totally on the price for me. Since Windows 7 is just the Vista pig with lipstick and a wig, it's going to have to be a very reasonable upgrade price! (Actually, I like Vista, but you get the point.)

I'm trying out Windows 7 on a 5 year-old laptop, and I'm impressed that it seems to run just as fast or faster than XP--even with Aero turned on. But with four computers in the house, it would be nice if Microsoft would come through with a reasonable home upgrade program this time.

What would any of you folks consider a reasonable upgrade price?

[Phillip Dyson]

Didn't MS issue an official statement about the "free upgrade" window? I thought there was one, but I can't find it.

[Ed Hansberry]

Didn't MS issue an official statement about the "free upgrade" window? I thought there was one, but I can't find it.

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/06/leaked-memo-windows-7-upgrade-program-starts-june-26.ars

Starts June 26th.