Buying a new computer, wait or get it now?

As you all know, the Windows 7 upgrade program has started today. I am going to be buying a new computer in the near future, the Sony Vaio SR. So my question is, which would be the cheapest/best option?

1. Get the laptop now, do the free upgrade myself via the upgrade program
2. Get the laptop on Oct 22nd with 7 pre-loaded

Some things I am wondering are:
Will computers that come preloaded with 7 be sold at a higher price?
Can I do a "clean install" of Windows 7 with the upgrade program?

 

Good questions. As for the first I don't think there will be a perceptible difference and if there is it'll likely be minor.

Regarding the second, I don't think we'll know for sure until discs come out since there's always the possibility of a workaround. Also we don't know how manufacturers will provide the upgrades; will it be a new set of system discs or a generic upgrade disc.

As to wait or buy now, the old rule still applies. If you don't need to buy today, wait until you do need to buy. Waiting will nearly always get you more computer for your money.

 

Microsoft has already stated on their website that Windows 7 can be clean installed provided you own a CD that qualifies it for the upgrade. I.E. you have a legitimate CD copy of XP or Vista.

 

Well one issue is that alot of the laptops manufacturers are waiting to release new models. Alot of the current models will be replaced in July with newer models. I'm waiting for the new Acer 8935G.

 

Can you provide a link to that (if you have one)?

We now know that you'll be able to do a clean install using the upgrade key ( Link - thanks coolguy) provided "you have Windows Vista". Now what does "have" mean? Does it mean you have the disk, key, have it installed and activated? I think they mean the latter, in that you have to launch the upgrade install from within an activated copy of Vista and it would then offer you the clean install option, in addition to the in-place upgrade option of course.

Because the way I see it, anyone can get a copy of a Vista disk or an OEM restore disk. If they allowed simply having that disk, that would open up a huge loophole for piracy, no?

 

Read Techarp

 

This Microsoft page says near the bottom If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications.

Not sure how they work that, but we'll find out eventually.

Not sure I'd be surprised if the upgrade key, when activating, asks for the key of the previous version and uses it during the activation process. That would perhaps stem some of the abuse of the upgrade program using copies of XP or Win2k discs.