When is it finally coming out? I hear dates ranging from November 30 to January 30.
Unlike previous Windows launches, Vista’s debut has been divided into two extravaganzas, presumably in part because the upgrade will miss the holiday 2006 season due to scheduling delays. On November 30, Microsoft unveils the corporate version of the new OS (and Office 2007), and companies with volume license agreements will theoretically be able to get Vista right then and install it on PCs they already own. But the bigger Vista rollout can’t happen until Microsoft duplicates millions of DVDs, puts them in boxes, and ships them to retailers–and until PC companies design, manufacture, and ship systems with Vista preinstalled. So for home users, small businesses, and anyone who wants to buy a new Vista PC, the date that matters is January 30. That’s when Vista will officially be launched as a consumer product.
