Windows 10 officially launches on July 29. But that doesn't mean that major PC makers such as Dell, Lenovo and HP will have Windows 10 machines on store shelves that day. Here's what to expect.
For the last couple of months, the official July 29 launch date for Windows 10 has been drummed into our heads. In recent weeks, however, that date has come to look more like the starting line than a finish line. According to Microsoft, that July 29 date is when the first wave of Windows users will be able to download the official version of the new operating system, which is a free upgrade for (most) existing users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.
But if you're looking to just buy a brand-new PC with Windows 10 already installed, it won't be as simple as lining up outside your favorite electronics store the morning of July 29 and walking out with a new laptop under your arm. Nor is it a sure bet that if you order a new computer online on July 29, it will ship with Windows 10.
In fact, some of the major PC makers -- Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, Asus and Samsung -- seem to find Microsoft's upgrade rules and timetables as confusing as everyone else. We asked each company if it would be selling Windows 10 PCs on July 29, and if not, when the computers sold in stores and online would come out of the box with Windows 10 pre-installed. The responses ranged from specific to vague to dodging the question entirely.
How and when to buy a new Windows 10 PC
Here's what each of the major PC makers had to say when CNET asked if systems purchased on July 29 would come with Windows 10 pre-installed, or if not, when new systems would start shipping with Windows 10. Spoiler alert: The later you shop in August and beyond, the better chance you'll have finding a Windows 10 PC at retail.
Acer
"We will have a number of new models shipping with Windows 10. They will be on sale on July 29 and will begin shipping to consumers within a week of that date."
Asus
"SKUs [specific models] with Windows 8.1 will continue to have Windows 8.1... models with Windows 10 will have a different SKU."
Dell
"Select systems [with Windows 10] start shipping on July 29."
HP
"A customer can buy select PCs with Windows 10 directly from HP.com and it will ship on July 28. Customers will start seeing HP devices running Windows 10 in-store at select retailers beginning August 2."
Lenovo
"Windows 10 will not be installed on systems in store on the 29th. You may be able to order that configuration online but it will not ship that day. Preloaded systems estimate is mid-August."
Samsung
"Samsung Windows 10 PCs will not be on shelves on July 29, but all of our Windows 8.1 products will be ready for the free upgrade. We will notify you when our Windows 10 PCs are available."
Toshiba
"Most units will have Windows 10 pre-loaded on them on July 29, however some units with some retailers may not."
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