Now that the Release Candidate is more or less out the question of the operating system's release date remains as Microsoft still won't say much over the "three years after the Vista roll out" line when asked about it. Luckily, not everyone is as 'conservative' in regards to the Windows 7 release as one Acer exec, Bobby Watkins is reported to have said, and we quote - "23rd October is the date the Windows 7 will be available."

The date has slipped through in a discussion about Acer's Z5600 All-in-One PC which will feature a touchscreen and thus make use of Windows 7s multi-touch capabilities. According to Acer, all Z5600 shipped on and after October 23rd will come pre-loaded with Windows 7, while the machines purchased up to 30 days prior to the release date will be able to upgrade with the new OS via a free upgrade program. Microsoft has yet to confirm October 23rd as Windows 7's release date and you know it's not official till the large Redmond company sings.