Windows 7 to be released October 22nd, 2009.

October 22nd seems a lot sooner than previous dates in 2010 that had been hinted at.
Doesn't leave much time for hardware manufacturers to get their drivers updated and working with Windows 7
Testing on our hardware fleet suggests that there may be quite a few driver issues with items like video and options like fingerprint readers.
Then of course there is all that appiication compatibility testing and potential repackaging overhead for old XP apps.
That should keep the IT department busy for a few months....

But don't forget that the drivers for Windows 7 are the exact same as the ones for Vista which means that those drivers should work.  I agree that application testing is important and we have been trying out some on it so far with positive results, but I have to believe that Windows 7 is the most mature operating system Microsoft has yet to release, or rather soon to release.

Interestingly, even though Microsoft have stated that the driver model for Windows 7 will be completely compatible with Vista, it seems that on the ground they are being extra careful. For drivers now to recieve the Vista logo, they must also be tested on Windows 7.

So, when you start with Windows 7, make sure you get the *latest* certified Vista drivers to ensure all will indeed be well.

But.... the plot thickened last month with the arrival of the separate Windows 7 Hardware Logo program...
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/about_Win7.mspx

Kind Regards,
Ian./ 

Has anyone else played with the XP Virtual Machine included in Vista? I have mixed feelings about it.