Windows 7 Ultimate Available at my school?

I saw that my school has the Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade available for only $20. What I wanted to know is how can this be as its planned for release Oct. 22? I'm even waiting after its publicly available to purchase a new laptop. Would this be the RTM version? Should I get it now?

My HP desktop came with pre-installed Vista Ultimate 32-bit, if I get the 64 bit upgrade would I be able to install, of course if I did a clean install? Will 3Gb of ram be ok on a 64 bit system? Thanks

System Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.33 Ghz
3GB Ram
500GB 5400 rpm hard drive

 

It's the RTM release, which is the same as the general release on Oct. 22. Microsoft just distributes the RTM through many services to all kinds of groups, especially universities.

 

Oh, so basically on Oct 22 it will just be the standard OS and ship on all new PC's?

 

Oct 22 is the street date. That's when 7 is going to be available to the general public.

Currently RTM is available to TechNET, MSDN, and MSDNAA members while a trial is available to "members of the tech industry", though anyone can get the trial.

 

Yeah, they finished it early August or before, started handing it out to select members of the tech industry and branched out to schools and Technet and stuff, and will finally put it on the shelves Oct. 22. It's the same build all around.

 

The 'educational' offer is the real deal. MS will give you an activation key. This is only good for students with an *.edu email

 

Which I have Anyone know if I will be able to get the 64-bit upgrade? I ran the RC 54-bit on my pc with only 3gb of ram and it was fine or should I stick to 32-bit as my system originally came with 32-bit ultimate?

 

Upgrading from a 32-bit to 64-bit operating system requires a complete reinstall. You could either get a Windows 7 upgrade license for 32-bit to avoid reinstalling, or you would have to get a full license for 64-bit. Also, please note that even Microsoft isn't fully confident in their upgrade paths and recommends a full reinstall.

 

Even if I go with 32-bit I was going to do a clean install regardless. I learned the hard way years ago never to do an in place upgrade.

 

i'm a college student, i have to go through my school to see if they have it? 20 dollars for the ultimate is pretty dam cheap...My school gave me the ulimate office 07 for free..

 

Yeah $20 was cheap. I got it installed and its running great. I went with the 32-bit version. I get Office 2007 Professional for free too