Realistically they could have it out by June and then have a Service pack a few months later.

Marketing and image wise for MS.... not a good idea

smarteyeball said:

Realistically they could have it out by June and then have a Service pack a few months later.

This would seem to be normal practice

smarteyeball said:

Marketing and image wise for MS.... not a good idea

Not to sure on this one, It could also go well for MS if everyone keeps liking it

Hi All,

“could be out by the end of June,” which would make the software a material contributor to Microsoft’s fiscal 2010 results, write the authors.

this is a major consideration of course given the current financial situation, Microsoft need Windows 7 to be a success, but I think the holiday season 2009 is the best bet for public release, which would mean RTM this summer to give the OEMs a chance to meet November/December shipment to stores

microsoft financials at present are down 16 odd percent and they need a new, attractive and marketable product. early release, if it doesnt go absolutely right, has any major technical or market snags and they are up the crick. again. not going to happen. home users may line up to purchase the system on release, but business, and the business licensing models will make or break windows7. business moves a lot slower than what most people think. i could not possibly recommend any of my clients migrate without at least a year of the system being in market, and with documentation to support that system roll out. with no track record, it will be up to some major partner to take the risk, business as a whole will be watching, but in no hurry to follow suite immediately. it's about the quickest way to unemployment i can think of.

some clients will surely want to see what the press is all about, but i can guarantee it will be in a test bench, minimal impact, non critical way for months after this and it's variations become available. the vast majority of those writing for the general mags or papers have a limited clue to begin with, i wouldn't bet the farm.

ms financial reporting is late fall, so don't be surprised for a "major announcement" going into that, and shareholder meetings.

All these reports we see say its coming out sooner than expected, I think they should wait until RC1 is out, get responses from testers & then release it.

dj...'s right. microsoft will let it go when they are absolutely sure it will be relatively trouble free square one for the majority of the initially home user market. (or in software testing terms home victims..). a repeat of vista, from users and the press whose opinions influence the bulk of the home user base, rightly or wrongly, will not happen again, bet on it. i can see them holding it back if they find a deal killer issue, but all things being equal i think late fall. any talk of an early release isn't going to happen.

ittech said:

dj...'s right. microsoft will let it go when they are absolutely sure it will be relatively trouble free square one for the majority of the initially home user market. (or in software testing terms home victims..). a repeat of vista, from users and the press whose opinions influence the bulk of the home user base, rightly or wrongly, will not happen again, bet on it. i can see them holding it back if they find a deal killer issue, but all things being equal i think late fall. any talk of an early release isn't going to happen.

Exactly, besides they can release a service pack before the end of the year to fix any other issues after release so I stand in saying, "wait till after RC1 to release a final product" I hope M$ hears my tiny voice.