sycogrim
MyGaming Comp Authoritah
Johannesburg - Software giant Microsoft said the latest version of its flagship operating system, Windows 7, has been released to manufacturing, meaning its development is now complete.
Speaking on a conference call to which Fin24.com had exclusive access in South Africa, Rich Reynolds, general manager for Windows marketing said Microsoft partners worldwide have received the finished product and the first computers to ship with Windows 7 will arrive on October 22 2009.
"Today we are announcing the release to manufacturing of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2," said Reynolds.
"This means the final code has been delivered to our partners so that they can build products in time for the holiday season."
He said Microsoft aimed to deliver Windows 7 within three years of releasing Windows Vista and is pleased that it managed to meet its deadline. Vista was completed in November 2006.
He adds Windows 7 was developed with the collaboration from customers who were allowed to test early versions of the operating system and provide Microsoft with feedback.
Reynolds said 10 million customers signed up for the feedback programme.
He said that South African IT giant Dimension Data was one of the partners to applaud Microsoft's efforts in Windows 7 at a recent partner conference.
"Our volume licensing customers will be able to download Windows 7 beginning on August 7 and then our affiliated partners will receive the code on August 17," said Reynolds.
Pricing for Windows 7 in South Africa has not been finalised and the product will be available in six different editions, but only Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate will be available for retail in most countries.
In developing countries Microsoft will release Windows 7 Starter Edition which is available at a reduced price, but has several limitations, such as the inability to run more than three applications at the same time.
- Fin24.com
www.fin24.com
Just got this in an email now