CNET reports that during a technical session at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles, Microsoft director Jim Howe gave a presentation that seemed to confirm that Windows 7 will be on PCs by next year’s holiday season.
“Definitely the holiday focus is going to be on 7,” Howe told CNET following his presentation during a technical session about Velocity, a program designed to improve PC quality. It has been widely speculated, though never confirmed by Microsoft, that Windows 7 will ship around mid-year, in time to be on machines that ship for the 2009 holiday season.
I dont believe Microsoft will ship in 2009, I think it will ship when its completely ready...They will want to avoid the problems they had with Vista`s launch
It seems the absence of hard facts is starting rumours. It has been reported the RTM date is mid year, so it seems likely the current rumours won't be too far off the mark.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Vista X32. Windows 7 32bit
CPU
Intel Quad Core 6600
Motherboard
Asus P5B
Memory
4096 MB Xtreme-Dark 800mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Zotac Amp Edition 8800GT - 512MB DDR3, O/C 700mhz
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 206BW
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1024
Hard Drives
4 X Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II HDD w. 16MB Cache .
PSU
550 w
Case
Thermaltake
Cooling
3 x octua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm 1200RPM Sound Optimised Fans
They will need to RTM late August-early September to be ready for the 2009 Holiday season, I think that is rushing things and asking for another PR disaster.