Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) took many of the chin when it released Windows Vista over two years ago when it received as many panning reviews as possible for the world's largest software company. Since then, the software behemoth has been planning a Vista successor that is leaner, safer, and doesn't require the latest PC to provide optimum performance.That being said, the rumor is that the new Windows 7 will be available for sale and on new PCs sometime at the beginning of 2010. According to one of Microsoft's chief Windows engineering leads, the world could see Windows 7 sometime this summer.
Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of the Windows engineering group, indicated that major PC makers could be shipped Windows 7 in August. While that may be too late for the back-to-school shopping season, a summer launch would be great for a holiday 2009 season launch. Most likely, that's what Microsoft is counting on.
Preliminary reviews of Windows 7 have been very favorable indeed. If Microsoft can capture the hearts and minds of PC buyers during the second half of this year and the new operating system can garner ongoing good reviews, it will be the hit Microsoft desperately needs to continue making the computer desktop relevant in the face of web-centric computing favored by companies like Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG).
Closing Bell: Economic Catapult for Thanksgiving & Black Friday (WMT, TGT, GRMN, GOOG, MSFT)
Deere up on Q4 earnings performance
Reid Hoffman: LinkedIn will go public (at some point)
