Microsoft’s Windows 7 to debut on Oct 22

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft said Tuesday that it will debut its new operating system Oct 22 as it seeks to block a growing challenge from Google, Apple, and the open-source Linux operating system. The world’s largest software company is releasing Windows 7 just 33 months after launching Windows Vista which has been widely panned for its demanding hardware requirements and slow response time.

No price has been named for Windows 7 but the release date is seen as good news for the computer industry which will now be able to offer machines running the new software to customers for the crucial holiday season.

Microsoft also said that it will offer upgrades to the new program to customers who bought Windows Vista from July onwards.

Microsoft’s announcement came as reports emerged that two Taiwanese computer makers Asus and Acer would both begin offering laptops running Google’s Android operating system that was originally developed for mobile phones.

Though Windows operating systems still run an estimated 90 percent of the world’s personal computers, rival programs from Apple and from vendors of the open source Linux operating system are steadily growing in prominence.