Yes, this is the date we’ve all been waiting and wondering about. Retail availability for Windows 7 pre-loaded on PCs and in FPP (fully packaged product) form. In an interview with Ina Fried from CNET, Phil McKinney, chief technology officer of Hewlett-Packard’s computer unit said, “We’re locked and loaded for the launch," McKinney said. "The quality of code is just absolutely stellar.”
Those who purchase Windows Vista-based PCs close to launch will get a technology guarantee to upgrade to the new version but details are scarce.
Either way, for readers of this blog, you can be certain we will be giving away a few copies here as well as a few copies of Halo ODST when released. More details on The Windows Blog.