Will Windows 7 be available for purchase before October or November? If so, should I wait for it?

Hi, I am thinking about buying a laptop for gaming and would need to purchase it sometime before October or November. I believe I read somewhere that games run better on Windows 7 then on Vista, is that true? Also, does anyone know if Windows 7 will be available for purchase sometime within my time frame?

If I were to buy a laptop with Vista 64 bit installed, would upgrading to Windows 7 later be relatively easy? I would most likely have a couple video games installed by then, would replacing Vista with Windows 7 mean I would have to reinstall all my software or would it just replace the OS? I am afraid I know next to nothing about upgrading operating systems.

 

The beta version is out now and will be replaced by the real thing I think some time early next year. I have heard that once the official windows 7 goes on sale a fresh format is necessary even when having the beta installed

 

I have heard it will be available by the christmas season to ensure microsoft will be able to cash in on all the christmas PC sales


and if you have Vista installed you should be able to upgrade easily as there is an upgrade version that is cheaper than a full license and allows you to go from Vista to Windows 7 without reinstalling everything.

 

King of Interns, what do you mean a fresh format is necessary?

Thanks for the info chipmoney, if Windows 7 isn't available by the time I need a laptop I will probably just go with Vista then.

So does anyone know if Windows 7 really is better for gaming than Vista?

 

I recommend waiting for Windows 7 to come out. Should be out for this holiday season. So your time frame may make it. As far as gaming goes, Windows 7 is the latest OS, its always good to future-proof. Gaming should be the same as Vista anyways.

Beta version? That was a while ago. The RC is now out. If you have a Vista pc and you buy Windows 7, you can "migrate" without reinstalling the OS but it is generally better and I recommend starting fresh with Windows 7.

 

Ok, I think I might have read something somewhere about it being available late September or so but I don't remember exactly. I guess I'll hold off on making a purchase for now. Hopefully windows 7 will be available in time.

 

If you can hold off until July then you'll likely be eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade on a new machine purchased with Vista. Back in February they were saying July 1, but I'm not sure that was official and thus subject to change. Nevertheless there will be a date (in the summer probably) after which you'll get a Windows 7 upgrade coupon for free.

 

Ok, I can hold off until pretty close to December. The thing is my family will be going on a two week trip near the end of December, I think it might be January first actually. So I would need to have a laptop by then. I suppose that means I should either be able to purchase it with Windows 7, or get a coupon for an upgrade by then. Hopefully purchase...because as McGrady mentioned, its better to start fresh.

Hehe, I really wish there were some solid release dates available.

 

The general rule is:

If you need a computer NOW, then get one, or else you'll be waiting forever for the "next best thing." However, if you CAN wait, as in you DON'T need a computer NOW, then there isn't a problem with waiting.