A Guide to the Next Version of Windows

less about evaluating the new Microsoft operating system and more about how to properly gauge the correct time to get XP off client desktops.

Will IT go for Windows 7 in the next year? A new survey shows Windows 7 rollouts may proceed much slower than Microsoft would like. Plus, IT managers say they're more open to Mac and Linux alternatives.

Choose a section The Desktop Features New Desktop Features The Enterprise Features Hands-On Reviews Upgrade Advice What Enterprise IT Thinks Features for IT Admins Availability and Pricing A Video Tutorial Windows 7 and Netbooks Windows 7 Availability and Pricing Windows 7 Release: What Happens Between Now and Oct. 22

Here's the breakdown of some key events leading up to the public release of Windows 7 in shipping form in October.

Starting June 26 and ending July 11, Windows users in the United States will be able to preorder Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 and Windows 7 Professional for $99.99. Once that promotion ends and starting Oct. 22, existing XP and Vista customers can buy Home Premium for $119.99, Professional for $199.99 and Ultimate for $219.99.

Microsoft's "Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program" provides free or nearly-free upgrades to Windows 7 for those who purchase a Vista PC between today and Jan. 31, 2010. HP is the only major vendor so far to promise a no-charge upgrade, but more are expected.

Microsoft's Windows 7 upgrade deal for Vista and XP users will be limited to 25 machines per company, and those companies without Microsoft's software assurance won't get any upgrade break beyond the first 25 PCs.

Windows 7: A Video Tutorial Video: Hands-On with Microsoft Windows 7

What's new in Windows 7? In this 10-part series of hands-on video lessons, we take you through notable features for IT admins, new networking series, application enhancements, desktop features, and more.

Windows 7 and Netbooks Windows 7 Ultimate on a Netbook: See How it Runs

Microsoft has said that any version of Windows 7 will run on a netbook. Computerworld tried it with Windows 7 Ultimate and got mixed results.

Industry analysts say that Google is not likely to rush its Linux-based Android OS on netbooks, but if prices keep dropping for non-Windows netbooks, buyers may soon resent paying more for Windows. And that's when Google could capitalize.

Microsoft will limit sales of some editions of Windows 7 to systems that use a low-powered single-core processor running no faster than 2GHz and screens no larger than 10.2 inches, reports say.

Microsoft's plan to triple the amount it charges netbook makers for Windows 7 could turn off both OEMs and customers.