Update: The Windows 7 development team announced on their blog this afternoon that the operating system has been released to manufacturing (RTM). Windows 7 Build 7600 (7600.16385.090713-1255) has been signed off as the official RTM build. Windows Server 2008 R2 which was being developed in parallel also went RTM today.

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what does it mean by "final RTM Code"?? is this the overall finished product? i work in an IT support company and we're glod certified and i'm currently in the little pool of people testing out windows 7 RC1, currently using it to type this message! does that mean I might get hold of the final version?

RTM means Release To Manufacturer. It's the final code as it would be released to those companies that preload Windows onto machines they sell. Unlike the RC and Beta releases, it's the "final" release of Windows that would be the same if you purchased it in the stores.

When is the last time anyone remembers Microsoft giving a deal to any tech shops or technians who were not Microsoft Certified?

why would they give discounts if your not certified? isn't the reason you certify is to get the deals?

so microsoft are going to offer for $150 a 3 licence version ? USA only of course her in UK we are going to get stung again on software pricing
Amazon uk are offering the folowing for advanvced orders windows 7 ultimate (e) pc £189.97 and claim this is a 17% discount (also what does the ''E'' stand for ?). windows 7 pro £159.99 again claiming this is a 27% discount and finaly £69.98 for home premium at a claimed 53% discount
rip off britian strikes again as we are unable to register copy's of microsoft software purchased in USA as when you try microsoft accuses you of piracy and threatens you with legal action

The pool of people testing RC1 is hardly "little" since it was a public release (still open, by the way).
Probably numbers several hundred thousand at least.

I am amased to see Microsoft allowing the installation of Windows onto 3 PCs with one licence. This will make things so much nicer for home users with many machines, especially us pensioners. I have 5 machines: 3 Desktops and 2 Laptops. I will install Windows 7 Home Premium on one desktop now with XP-Home and the two HP Laptops, leave the Windows 2000 SP4 machine alone (due to drivers and devices that are not Vista/Windows 7 compatible), and install Windows 7 Ultimate on my behemoth machine "Brutus". Well done, Microsoft. It's not every day one gets a gift from them!

also what does the ''E'' stand for ?
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The Windows 7 E version is the EU release without a browser (IE) installed due to the anti-trust litigation that has been going on for the past 5 years.
Article about it found here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Microsoft-to-let-users-pick-apf-687214689.html?x=0

"Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel, said in a statement that until EU regulators rule on the company's proposal, it will continue to require PC makers to sell computers with the browserless Windows 7 "E" version in the region. Windows 7 will go on sale on Oct. 22."

It is in MS best interests to offer the home 3 pack special. Were it not offered, I would keep my Vista on 2 machines and XP on the 3rd. I would switch to 7 at some point a few years down the road if the price was right. So, MS may have gotten it right this time, offering the Home combo pack. Cheers MS...

My next worry is with 2 machines running 64 Bit and the 3rd at 32 bit, how is that going to be handled?