If you've been putting off buying a new PC because you're waiting for Windows 7 to ship, you're in luck. At least one manufacturer plans to make Windows 7 PCs available to customers early, nine days to be exact, and Redmond isn't going to get in its way. In fact, Microsoft is perfectly fine with the idea. "October 12 is the date that Microsoft enables our Authorized Replicators to begin shipping Windows 7 to Microsoft OEM Authorized Distributors," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with Ars.
"As the fulfillment process through our supply chain takes time, we begin initial product distribution in advance of General Availability. Therefore, this represents our Release To Manufacturing (RTM) process for OEMs who purchase indirectly through Distribution. So, while in theory a System Builder could get Windows 7 product pre-GA, based on supply chain analysis, the intended timing for customers to receive Windows 7 PCs from System Builders should be close to GA, October 22nd. This represents the same process Microsoft managed with past Windows releases."
According to custom computer maker Puget Systems, smaller system builders can sell Windows 7 PCs as soon as they receive the operating system's product keys, which is expected to be as early as the next day after Microsoft gives the green light. "Customers who place orders for a full personal computer system, and who select Microsoft Windows 7 as their OS of choice, will be immediately placed in queue for shipment which will begin in earnest on October 13, 2009," reads a statement on the company's website. "Orders will be placed in queue on first-come basis and Puget Systems standard shipping policies apply. Place your order early to ensure an early spot in our queue! Shipping dates are not guaranteed."
The company already has a configure webpage available for choosing the parts of a new Windows 7 PC. Puget Systems has copies of the operating system on hand to preload onto computers and configure them in advance. The second the company gets the keys, they'll enter them in and the ordered Windows 7 PCs will be ready to go. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit is set as the default choice, with a cost of $97.09 included in the final price. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit is also available for an extra $46.10 (total is $143.19) and Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit will be an additional $62.46 (total is $205.65) on top of that.
Jon Bach, president of Puget Systems, asked Microsoft for details of Windows 7's October 22 launch and was kindly informed that the date was actually October 13 for his company. After he asked for more details, he was told that the earlier date only applies to system builders that buy the operating system through distribution channels, meaning OEMS and retailers are excluded. It's a competitive edge that system builders will definitely appreciate. Some of them are unhappy with the prices they must pay Microsoft to sell the company's operating system with their products. Last week, Microsoft revealed that for a $1000 PC, OEMs pay about $50, or five percent, for Windows.
Windows 7 will officially hit general availability on October 22, 2009. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be kicking off the official Windows 7 launch at an event in New York City that day, and house parties celebrating the operating system's debut will erupt across the world.
Although select groups of tech enthusiasts have been using Windows 7 RTM on their computers for weeks, this new date would be the first time a customer could buy a new computer with the operating system preloaded and ready to go. That may not seem like a big deal to those who buy the operating system separately from the computer, but one must remember that about 95 percent of Windows copies are sold along with the accompanying hardware. While nine days early may not seem like a lot, it is for those who have been waiting on Vista's successor since the Longhorn days, and it's definitely a huge deal for the small system builders who will likely get a huge boost from the early bird deals.
Earlier this month, system builders were complaining that Microsoft had delayed the release of Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation Kits (OPKs) and did not give them a specific date by which to expect them. OPKs are designed for automating the installation and customization of Windows and other Microsoft products on multiple PCs.
Microsoft originally gave Ars two reasons for this decision. The first explained that since system builders are typically local and have less complex supply chains, they can often go to market much faster than larger OEMs. What we're learning now conflicts, however, with the second reason: "there is no effective way for Microsoft to provide those partners the product earlier and maintain the established general availability date." Either Microsoft has had a change of heart, or it was simply delaying the news of Windows 7 PCs being available early so that the announcement would have a bigger impact.
It appears that system builders have received a blessing from Microsoft: the early availability doesn't apply to people who bought Windows Vista PCs with the right to upgrade for free to Windows 7 when it comes out, and consumers can't go to OEMs since they don't have the option of sidestepping the October 22 date. Such exclusivity doesn't typically come easy for small busineses, so they really should milk it while they can(arstechnica)