Microsoft Possibly Pushing Foward the Release Of Windows 7

Wizardskills · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:13

Reports are suggesting that Microsoft is considering pushing forward the release date of Windows 7, its successor to Vista.

APC Magazine claims to have seen Microsoft's roadmap for the operating system, and reports that the software giant is gunning for a 2009 release to manufacturing, a year earlier than initially planned.

The roadmap apparently contains three distinct milestone builds for Windows 7, with the first build, M1, apparently already shipped to partners for code validation.

M1 is reported to be English language only, but is shipping in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. M2 is slated to ship in April or May, while M3 is expected some time in the third quarter of 2008.

The rumour would certainly fit with Steve Ballmer's statement last year

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that he wants to speed up the turnaround between new operating systems, though Microsoft refused to be drawn on the rumours.

"We're continuing to work with our customers and partners on the development of Windows 7, the next version of the client operating system," the company says. "We're not sharing additional information at this time; instead, we're focused on helping customers today get the most value from their PCs using Windows Vista, and we're encouraged by the response and adoption so far."

Though details on the operating system are sketchy, Microsoft is apparently looking at creating a more streamlined kernel. A wishlist of features was also apparently leaked onto the internet last year.

The report comes just as Vista's fortunes appear to be turning, with strong sales of PCs beginning to drive demand for the operating system.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/158973/windows-7-pushed-forward.html#

May be bad news for people who have just got vista :eek:

Dolph · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:16

Already being discussed here.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17830010

It's also worth noting, however, that this is just a return to the older release schedules. XP -> Vista was much, much longer than most previous gaps in releases between versions of windows.

NathanE · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:20

Why is this a big deal? You can pick up Vista Home Premium for what £60-70 quid? Ultimate can be had for about £110.

If Vista lasts me 2 years then that was good value for money.

You should see how much Apple charges for their OSes!

I love how this "MinWin" thing has been blown all out of proportion as well. Every damn article I read on Windows 7 starts off with "it has a new streamlined kernel". It's complete and utter cow manure. Strangely they never seem to mention the *actual* new feature in the kernel which is the "Hypervisor". This feature is going to cause VMware's share price to plummet over night

mdjmcnally · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:27

£76 online at a competitor for MAC OSX Leopard 10.5. Hardly expensive.

Burnsy2023 · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:50

NathanE said:
This feature is going to cause VMware's share price to plummet over night

Until the EU force MS to help VMware integrate their products into the OS..... :rolleyes:

Burnsy

Gimpymoo · 24 Jan 2008 at 14:12

NathanE said:
Why is this a big deal? You can pick up Vista Home Premium for what £60-70 quid? Ultimate can be had for about £110.

If Vista lasts me 2 years then that was good value for money.

AGREED.

I bought Vista on launch and if I only get 2 years out of it, I do not begrudge paying £65 a year for the license to run an Operating System on my PC.

Thinking of everything I do on my computer (I'd be lost without it) £65 a year for a license to run an Operating System is not a great deal, especially seeing as frankly it is the best Operating System available at present. Anyone saying "What about Linux" - YEAH - WHAT ABOUT IT? I would not say I am computer illiterate but using Linux is such a FAFF to do ANYTHING.

I think a Xbox live subscription alone is just shy of £65 isn't it?

Withouth the O.S, what would I use the computer for, DOS based bulletin boards?

.walls · 24 Jan 2008 at 14:32

Gimpymoo said:
Anyone saying "What about Linux" - YEAH - WHAT ABOUT IT? I would not say I am computer illiterate but using Linux is such a FAFF to do ANYTHING.

I completely disagree - but please, feel free to flame on....

Withouth the O.S, what would I use the computer for, DOS based bulletin boards?

<pedant>
Without "an" OS you'd be hard pushed to do anything apart from access BIOS
</pedant>

NathanE · 24 Jan 2008 at 14:41

Burnsy2023 said:
Until the EU force MS to help VMware integrate their products into the OS.....

Burnsy

Haah

Actually I think the hypervisor is going to be fully documented and open to third parties so VMware will be able to integrate with it if they want to.

Caged · 24 Jan 2008 at 19:44

I think you're overestimating the effect that the Hypervisor will have. Sure it may shake up VMware's licensing structure a bit but businesses that run on ESX are going to carry on running on ESX.

Having said that, bring on the competition.

mrk · 24 Jan 2008 at 19:56

I paid £115 for Vista Ultimate OEM I feel robbed!

not

Indy500 · 24 Jan 2008 at 19:59

More than XP Pro...

personally I'm not a fan of the subscripton software model for operating systems\virus scanners.

NathanE · 24 Jan 2008 at 20:24

Caged said:
I think you're overestimating the effect that the Hypervisor will have. Sure it may shake up VMware's licensing structure a bit but businesses that run on ESX are going to carry on running on ESX.

Having said that, bring on the competition.

And I think you took me a bit too literally

bfar · 25 Jan 2008 at 00:37

I hope its a modular OS. That would be great for enthusiasts. The current model is too bulky and unwieldy.

Margaret · 25 Jan 2008 at 01:06

I'm just happy Dell gave me a free copy or I'd be quite annoyed.

Oh well hey

Burnsy2023 · 25 Jan 2008 at 09:36

bfar said:
I hope its a modular OS. That would be great for enthusiasts. The current model is too bulky and unwieldy.

I doubt that'll happen as most of the market won't need this.

Burnsy

Dolph · 25 Jan 2008 at 09:37

bfar said:
I hope its a modular OS. That would be great for enthusiasts. The current model is too bulky and unwieldy.

Windows already is a modular OS, unless you mean modular installation as opposed to modular programming...

NathanE · 25 Jan 2008 at 09:43

I think by modular he means more installation options. Like the ability to not install WMP, IE etc...

Well that just ain't going to happen I'm afraid. Those days are long gone

But yes technically speaking Windows is already modular, in fact it is almost a religious practice at Microsoft!

chesterstu · 25 Jan 2008 at 10:11

NathanE said:
I think by modular he means more installation options. Like the ability to not install WMP, IE etc...

I don't think that will ever happen because of people like my mum. She doesn't want to install anything to surf the web or play a CD. Christ, she is barely aware she is using Windows. If it involves anything more complex than clicking onthe internet icon and she's not interested. And i think she is representative of 90% of computer users.

So why would MS cater to the wimps of a small minority?

Richdog · 25 Jan 2008 at 10:14

I fail to see how paying £100 for Vista Ultimate is anything approaching good value considering it will die an immature platform that brought no concrete advantages over XP. The ultimate sacrilege is that my company is upgrading to Vista in December 2008, around 7-8 months before it is due to be replaced by the new Windows 7. Madness.

slowrunner · 25 Jan 2008 at 10:18

An annual fee? Think I'll just stick with XP!

(Microsoft make more than enough profits already imo)