The rumor-mill is abuzz with lots of fresher information about the forthcoming Windows 7 making rounds! Going by the grapevine, the new Microsoft operating system is set for it scheduled October 22 roll out, well ahead of the crucial holiday shopping season!

In addition, there are rumors that Microsoft would likely be offering a free upgrade coupon to those who purchase of Windows Vista computers this summer. Though there has been no formal announcement to the effect thus far, it appears to be a practical decision by the company, rather than keeping the customers waiting for the new computer for the nearly four-month period in the interim.

Going by the informal tests of Windows 7 - a preview version of which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site -, the new OS boots much faster than the Vista version, and has an impressive operating speed with 4GB of RAM.

With a dedicated 256-meg video card, the OS' 3.9 index score indicates that it will take a lot of video horsepower; and to avail the maximum benefit from the OS and its "Aero" interface, most users will have to invest heavily in a video card.

Windows 7 will be available in six editions - the stripped-down 'Starter' and 'Home Basic' editions; 'Home Premium'; 'Professional' for office-users; 'Ultimate' and 'Enterprise' for business customers.