Hasta La Gadget!

In a powerful wave of anticipatory man-drool, Windows 7 build 7600 has made its way to the file sharing services. What’s interesting here is that the major jump in build revisions from the current 72xx builds suggests, but does not guarantee, that 7600 is the Release To Manufacturing (RTM) build rumored for a July 13th release (yes today) — the same Windows 7 build that will be handed out by Microsoft to it partners in the run-up to Microsoft’s October 22nd consumer launch. If it is the RTM build then we’d expect to hear some kind of announcement with the kickoff of Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner conference in New Orleans later today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Desktops, Handhelds, Laptops

Windows 7 build 7600 arrives in a torrent of RTM speculation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get out your Bill Gates commemorative calendars folks, ’cause it looks like we now have a few more dates to mark off on the road to Windows 7 availability. While Microsoft still isn’t saying anything official itself just yet, a number of different sources are reporting that the company has set July 10th as the date for the final gold build of Windows 7, while the big release to manufacturing date is apparently on track for July 13th. Of course, things could still change if there’s a major bug or other problem encountered, but barring any disasters, that’ll likely be the same build that finds its way onto your PC this fall.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 release to manufacturing reportedly on track for July 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’re not still running Windows 7 Beta are you? Tsk tsk, better get your RC build before your system starts spontaneously shutting down every 2 hours. As Microsoft has warned repeatedly, Windows 7 Beta builds will begin bi-hourly shutdowns starting on July 1st in a bid to move you over to the latest release candidate. RC user will suffer the same treatment starting March 1st, 2010 on the way to a June 1st expiration — well after the October 22nd launch date of Windows 7 to retail. This concludes this Engadget public service announcement, your regularly scheduled snarkiness will return in a moment.

[Thanks, Kyle]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs

Windows 7 Beta automatic shutdowns begin today, RC users safe until March 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Often companies will claim a “sellout” in order to hype incredible demand for its product. However, these claims are pointless without any firm numbers — after all, there’s a big difference between moving 100 and 100,000 units. Now we’re getting word from Japan that the heavily discounted Windows 7 upgrades that went up for pre-order on Friday are sold-out. While no numbers are given, the 17 retailers involved in the pre-order sales, who presumably have no vested interest in trying to inflate perceptions on behalf of Microsoft, report sales as “considerable” and taking only 1.5 days (of the 10 days planned) to burn though the alloted inventory. A quick check on Amazon US and Canada shows the same pre-order prices we saw Friday. Still, it might be wise to take notice of the “while supplies last” disclaimer if you haven’t already.

Update: Engadget Japanese tells us that the 30,000 copies were sold according to Microsoft.

Windows 7 pre-orders sell-out in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomorrow is today which makes it time to get your Windows 7 pre-order in. Amazon issued a big ‘ol press release telling us that it’s now offering the Home Premium Upgrade and Professional Upgrade packages for $49.99 and $99.99 though July 11th, while supplies last — nothing special there as it’s the standard pricing you’ll find at all your favorite on-line retailers. Amazon does promise, however, that you’ll “receive the product” when released to shops on October 22nd. Note a 3 per customer limit so don’t get greedy, ok? It’s not like Microsoft can just press the OS onto another disc or something.

Update: Reduce priced pre-orders for the UK won’t begin until July 15th with prices set at £49 for Windows 7 Home Premium E and £99 for Professional E, both will ship without Internet Explorer.

Update 2: For those wondering about the upgrade prices for Europe… there aren’t any. In the UK, the Home Premium “upgrade” is actually a full-version of the OS and will cost £80 (about $131), Professional “upgrade” will cost £190 (about $312), and Ultimate will cost £200 (about $328) until the end of the year — they’ll cost £150 ($246), £220 ($361), and £230 ($377), respectively, starting January 1, 2010. According to the BBC, Microsoft claims that it can’t offer the lower upgrade pricing ($120, $200, or $220 for Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate in the US) in order to comply with European competition regulations, a claim that EU regulators dismiss. As such, going from Vista to Windows 7 will require a clean install in the EU in order to remove Internet Explorer — no in-place upgrades will be possible according to Microsoft. Look EU, if you’re going to fine Microsoft billions for anti-competitive behavior then you have to expect this kind of tail-between-the-legs retribution, honest or not. You certainly can’t say that Microsoft is using its market dominance to push out the competition when Apple’s Snow Leopard is coming in September for a mere $29. Happy now?

[Thanks, Gavin]

Windows 7 pre-orders begin, now (update: but not for Europe) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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