Windows 7 is not coming out so early

Last week news reports came out that small system builders are going to get Windows 7 on October 13, 2009. Microsoft said that the news is a “mischaracterization.” Most of the news reports mentioned Puget Systems, a Seattle based system builder, who sells high-end customer PC for gamers and post production video-editing shops. It posted a note on its website which says that the company will start shipping new systems with Windows 7 on October 13, 2009, on first come first serve basis. PC MAG.com reports:

Microsoft spokesman said that Microsoft will allow its authorized replicators to start shipping Windows 7 to OEMs starting October 12. However, a "supply chain takes time," he said, and that date "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 [general availability], based on supply chain analysis, the intended timing for customers to receive Windows 7 PCs from System Builders should be close to GA, October 22,..

Jon Bach, president of Puget Systems, said that they will not get a fairly large portion of all the “pre-orders” and being a small company it does not have to through too many bureaucratic processes like those of large corporations. They can directly type the product key and ship it to its customers.