We’ve received word from a trusted source close to GeekSmack that Windows 7 will be on TechNet/MSDN before the end of the month, so those of us with a premium TechNet/MSDN account will be able to get the official RTM build about 2 months ahead of when Windows 7 will hit store shelves on October 22nd. Microsoft is currently hard at work on getting that RTM build out to the world, and to ensure a smooth release, they’re trying to locate and remove any serious show-stopper bugs. Here is a list of the latest builds that were compiled: 6.1.7260.0.win7_rtm.090612-2110 - Leaked June 17, 2009 (VHD and ISO) 6.1.7261.0.win7_rtm.090615-1900 - RTM Candidate - Voted no go (7233 ?) 6.1.7262.0.win7_rtm.090617-1900 - RTM Candidate - Voted no go 6.1.7263.0.win7_rtm.090619-1900 - RTM Candidate - Voted no go 6.1.7264.0.win7_rtm.090622-1900 - Leaked June 30, 2009 (ISO) 6.1.7265.0.win7_rtm.090624-1905 - RTM Candidate 6.1.7266.0.win7_rtm.090625-1847 - RTM Candidate 6.1.7267.0.win7_rtm.090629-1900 - RTM Candidate 6.1.7268.0.win7_rtm.090701-xxxx - RTM Candidate (still a rumored build – no confirmation yet that it has been compiled) The RTM release is closing in and we’ll be on top of that, so stay tuned to GeekSmack for more exciting Windows 7 content! source: geeksmack.net
technet is truly worth it. Coupon codes are always popping up right now there is one for $100 off a yearly subscription making the price $250 USD. You get access to ALL Microsoft products within a month or 2 of release and there are a lot of exclusive beta things on technet. Not to mention FREE FULL VERSION NO EXPIRATION MS products. Like I said everything, so when Windows 7 is released it will be on there, when Exchange 2010 is released it will be on there, when Office 2010 is released it will be on there. All full with basically unlimited keys.
If you were actually going to buy Windows 7: It's $320 for Windows 7 Ultimate. It's $250 for a year of TechNet (with the aforementioned $100 coupon codes). This gives you access to virtually everything except MS developement suites, like Visual Studio. Am I the only one that sees a problem with that?
technet is not for production use. When you agree to the terms you agree to use the products in a non-production lab environment, does it mean MS is going to come to your house and ask what your stuff is running of course not, you are just being nice and saying you aren't going to run it in production. It is like CALs for MS products (minus terminal server), you don't have to have CAL packs for something like Exchange but you are supposed to play nice with MS and keep up on your CALs. You also get 2 free support incidents with Microsoft. MS's top level tech support for their products is second to none, it is also very expensive but if you have an enterprise level problem they will work with you to get it fixed no matter how bad it is.
No i do not.If you use Windows 7 problably minimum 2 years until Windows 8 comes(problably closer to 3 years) then it makes $500-$750 for technet during that period,but with Retail Win7 you only pay $320 once and use forever(well reasonable guess is 5 years). So unless you really use lot of products like Office,Windows etc the Technet subscription is a waste.Atleast a waste if you only use single Windows version in home enviroment.
Oh I see what you are saying/thinking. No the keys don't expire with your technet membership. Once the keys are issued they don't expire/blacklist. So you pay for technet for a year grab what you want then renew or don't renew. Personally since I run my own domain here at home with SQL, Exchange, SCCM, SCOM, SCVMM, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 R2, 2008, and 2008 R2. Access to the stuff on technet is worth it to me.
This is something I personally would never use, but out of curiosity, that is only for the retail version? I'm under the impression that with a TechNet account, you can let it expire and renew it later. Even if that's not the case, you can just make a new account for the same cost of a renewal, if you get the coupon code. Which would mean $250 for Windows 7, and $250 for Windows 8 (cost could go up). Or $500. Retail, assuming Windows 7 and 8 costs are the same (I suspect v8 will cost more), would be $640. Not to mention you have access to everything else.
No, you get it wrong. although technet account will be expired, keys from technet will not. That mean you can get most if not anything with no expiration. so you only pay $250 once and use forever if you're willing to agree to use the products in a non-production lab environment. (or will not, who knows, just like HSChronic said)