Upgrade T400 to Windows 7 when released?

I just ordered a T400 from Lenovo Canada on the weekend. Now I read today that it's anticipated that Windows 7 free upgrades will be available in a few weeks with system purchases.

I'm planning on upgrading to Windows 7 when it's available.

Is there any possibility to get OEM install CDs from Lenovo (I'm willing to pay for it)?

If not, last I saw my machine was listed as "released to manufacturing" - can I cancel the order at this time, and then just order a new system when Win7 is available?

Had I known a few days ago what I know now, I would've waited on this.

Thanks

 

What will you use for the few months between now and when Win7 is released? If you don't need a new computer in the intervening few months then it's always good to save your money and wait until you NEED it.

Another option may be to cancel your current system order and wait until the official details of the Vista->Win7 upgrade program. Then be sure to order the appropriate Vista version to qualify. I doubt you'd get a set of recovery disks though; probably just an upgrade disc allowing an in-place Vista to Win7 upgrade.

 

If you cancel, you won't have to wait long to order again for a Windows 7 update. Microsoft is expected to make an announcement soon on free upgrades for those who buy new computers with Vista during the time before 7 comes out in October. I have heard that free upgrades will apply to new machines bought after the end of this month.

 

Thanks for the advice Lew and antskip!

I managed to catch the order in time so the computer has been cancelled.

I'm currently using a T42 that I picked up 4 years ago for school; I'm going back for another degree and after being lugged around for 4 years every day to and from class (and surviving a few bike crashes, rainy days, being pulled off my desk by the cord, etc. etc. etc.) I figured an upgrade was in order to get me through my next four years.

Lew: that's a good point, even after the upgrade program is announced they might not be sending out real recovery disks; that's something I hadn't considered.

antskip: From what I understood from the announcement, October 22 is when you'll be able to buy Win 7 in a box at a retail store, but "release to manufactuers" would take place at the end of July, so you could start seeing it in systems much earlier than October (but that depends on when they get their act together... could be that I'm being optimistic). Your point is well taken, though - it's probably around the end of the month that we'll start to hear what Lenovo has up its sleeves for Win 7.

I think the best fit for me would be to wait until at least the details of the upgrade program are released.

One of the best features about my current Thinkpad is the recovery partition - I usually format once a year, and that makes the whole process much easier and less painful (no searching for drivers, switching discs, all that). So, if possible I'd like to wait until the system I buy is capable of doing that for Windows 7.

 

you're going back to school? most major universities have an agreement with microsoft so students can buy office and windows for like $10 each - they are full versions that you are "supposed" to uninstall after you graduate. maybe you should look into that?

i know when i get my t400, i'm just going to have it come from lenovo with the cheapest windows, install the windows 7 beta on it, and buy the retail windows 7 for $10 after it is released through the microsoft deal at my university

 

Alternately with a good backup program like Acronis or others, you get the system built just right with all your software, drivers, etc, then make a full backup to an external hard drive. If you ever need a refresh, just wipe your hard drive and restore (after backing up your files of course).

I personally don't trust the restore partitions -- no way to verify all is well until you're committed. With a backup you can validate it before you start.

When I did this on my T400 last August with Vista I think the total size before personal stuff was 40-50GB or so -- so you're talking about external hard drives on the cheap end of the scale.

Note -- I also keep all personal data of any size on a separate partition. You'd want to be sure you kept a copy of all your personal stuff still on the C partition.

 

Good point about the academic program. Of course "most" by definition also means "not all".

Still, academic pricing can be a help

 

I didnt even think about waiting for 7. Maybe Ill go the academic route too, but for now vista business 32 works for me. If Im still in school Ill check out the prices at least.

 

To maximize time with Win7, I would buy after the date when Microsoft will provide an update to Win7 for a new computer with Vista (at the mo looks like beginning of June). Make sure you get the right Vista, as upgrade version wll depend on your version of Vista. Until the late October launch or whenever the Win7 upgrade arrives, update you Vista with Win7 RC1, then upgrade that with the commerical Win7.

 

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that there was no upgrade path - that RC1 would need to be uninstalled completely and a fresh Win7 install would be required to continue indefinately.

 

My previous institution actually offered Vista Business and XP Pro licences to every student for free; along with a smattering of other software with big discounts. Unfortunately, my new school seems to be much, much further behind the times in that regard. From what I can tell, there's not a whole lot that they've got on offer. While it's certainly something for most people, I don't think it applies in my case, unfortunately.

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You know, I've used Acronis to make an image-based backup; but I only used it right before I used the recovery partition (in case I had to go back). For some reason I never actually considered using it BEFORE I filled my system with data. The process you describe is similar to (and in many ways better than...) the recovery partition.

Certainly something to keep in mind, though I think cancelling it was still the right call so at least I can get the free upgrade later. But I don't know that there's much need to wait for the pre-installed system, with this trick up my sleeve. Thank you

 

You could well be right, which would be a pity. I was depending on this article:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=922&page=2.

 

U don't have to cancel it. Relax~Your machine would be able to upgrade. I heard that the machine that manufactured after April 1st will be able to install Windows 7 OEM install CDs from Lenovo. So go with it.

 

But at what cost? I would be interested in 7 since they didnt ship CDs and I am thinking about a clean install.

 

Heres the latest I've found about this...

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/best-buy-memo-explains-that-vista-doesnt-work-details-windows/

To sum it up - if you buy after June 26th you get the windows 7 upgrade for free.