mcruwan.net

Windows 7 isn’t set to be available to the public until October 22. However Techflash reports that small system builder companies will be able to sell their PCs preloaded with Windows 7 earlier than that day. Microsoft has stated that they will allow these manufactures to start selling their PCs with Windows 7 as soon as the license keys are received. The keys are expected as soon as the 13th of October and Jon Bach of Puget Systems says he’s willing to start selling computers with Windows 7 as soon as they get the license keys from Microsoft.

He says that they were informed about this from Microsoft in writing and it was to give them a competitive edge over other manufacturers :

I’m surprised this hasn’t come out,” Bach said. “It was freely shared with us, and confirmed in writing. We almost didn’t believe it. … The way they said it was, ‘This is your competitive advantage, make use of it.’

Puget Systems have all their computers installed and pre-configured with Windows 7, they just need to enter the activation keys to sell them as quickly as possible to consumers. Bach said that he discovered this through own inquires with Redmond and that it only applies to system builders who buy the OS through distribution channels and not to big companies like Dell and HP.

A week in advance isn’t really that big a deal and it should not give small system builders much of an advantage over the larger manufacturers.

Microsoft’s statement of this issue:

October 12 is the date that Microsoft enables our Authorized Replicators to begin shipping Windows 7 to Microsoft OEM Authorized Distributors. As the fulfillment process through our supply chain takes time, we begin initial product distribution in advance of General Availability. Therefore, this represents our Release To Manufacturing (RTM) process for OEMs who purchase indirectly through Distribution.

Basically, its so they can get their PCs to the market in time for GA on the 22nd October as it takes time to reach distributors. So the only way to really take advantage of this is if you buy direct from the system builder with super quick shipping.