From...

January 19, 2000
Web posted at: 10:34 a.m. EST (1534 GMT)

by Dominique Deckmyn

(IDG) -- Some PC vendors will ship Windows 2000 systems several weeks before the operating system's official launch on February 17, a Microsoft spokesperson confirms. For these products, the real Windows 2000 debut appears to be January 24.

"It's not a big deal," says Shannon Rudd. "Some [system makers] will be ready with some product lines before February 17, but that's when we will have general availability."

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Rudd says most manufacturers received the final Windows 2000 code when it was released to manufacturing in December, and that they are free to start shipping certain Windows 2000 models when ready.

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In December, Compaq Computer announced that its iPaq systems would ship with Windows 2000 starting January 24. Compaq confirms that several other systems, including desktops, notebooks, and servers, would ship before February 17.

A source close to IBM says several Windows 2000 product lines, including ThinkPad 600 notebooks and PC 300 and IntelliStation desktops, will also start shipping on January 24.