When will Windows 7 be available on new computers?
Windows 7 will be officially released in a matter of weeks, but if you’re in the market for a new PC, when will you be able to run the new system? We explain your options for getting hold of Vista’s successor and the relevant timelines for doing so.
Buying a new machine with Windows 7
Officially retail stores can sell machines with Windows 7 from Oct. 22. Most retailers with an online store are not currently taking pre-orders for Windows 7 computers and instead are offering the Vista-Windows 7 upgrade scheme detailed below. Given the potential delays with the upgrades, if you want a Windows 7 machine imminently, it appears your best bet is a physical store.
Buying a new machine before Oct. 22
Many manufacturers are offering a free upgrade to people who buy Vista machines now. Among those offering such deals are Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and Velocity Micro.
It’s important to note that in most of these deals you must buy the computer from a retailer but deal directly with the manufacturer for the upgrade. (Amazon has links to the relevant pages on each manufacturer’s site. After registering, you will then receive a package in the mail which contains a Windows 7 upgrade disc, a disc of relevant drivers, and an installation manual.
Most of the manufacturers have not stated when exactly you will get the disc, but most note it will be after the general availability date (i.e. Oct. 22). Of those that list specific dates, Samsung appears not to be taking orders until Dec. 1 and is listing delivery of the upgrade kit as between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 while Toshiba says delivery will be within 60 days of receiving an upgrade request.
With this in mind, the free upgrade route probably isn’t worthwhile at this stage if you are yet to buy and want Windows 7 ASAP. If you do go for this option, it may be best to get your upgrade request in as soon as you have your computer.
Buying from a system builder
A system builder or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) is a company which builds computers to order. Some of these firms are advertising early shipping of Windows 7 machines. This is because the firms distributing the master discs of Windows 7 will be sending them out on Oct. 12.
In theory a system builder could receive the disk on Oct. 13 and send a finished computer out the same day. However, Microsoft believes that in most cases, it will be Oct. 22 at least before firms have received and installed the discs and then got the computers to customers. If you are going this route and the delivery date is vital to you, it’s well worth checking the small print: many firms make a point of saying that “early” delivery is not guaranteed.
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