Contrary to even the most recent comment from Microsoft, which suggested that Windows 7 will not be available until 2010, the word on the street is that Windows 7 will actually be available prior to Christmas 2009. Microsoft is reportedly said to have informed PC and system engineer partners that the system will be ready to go prior to Christmas next year with a possible beta version available before Christmas 2008.
If this information is correct then this places a serious question mark over Windows Vista which contrary to popular belief has been something of a failure compared to Windows XP. Historically Microsoft would have been able to "bury its dead at night" without an awful lot of fuss in the press but the market has changed dramatically over the last few years.
Open source operating systems are all the rage at the moment and this is starting to have a serious impact upon Microsoft's Windows operating system. Unless the group can stem this alarming slide it looks as though further market share will be lost which is probably partly the reason why the group is attempting to bring forward Windows 7 as soon as possible.