The Takeaway: Microsoft preps RTM milestone of Windows 10
RTM is a development marker that signifies the Windows 10 code is officially stable enough to distribute to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). That gives them just three weeks to pre-load the OS onto new devices prior to sale, but it should allow at least some manufacturers to get Windows 10 machines onto the market -- and into users' hands -- as back-to-school sales commence.
Several sources cited this week for the RTM release, including The Verge and Neowin, which pointed to "internal sources" at Microsoft.
Here's more on how close Windows 10 is to completion:
For OEMs, the narrow window of availability means they'll have to scramble to get Windows 10 on their hardware. In the past, they've had months: For Windows 8, they had 12 weeks between the time Microsoft declared its code RTM and the first sales of Windows 8 devices and for Windows 7, there was a 13-week gap.
The manufacturers most likely to have machines ready by month's end are those that sell build-to-order PCs through online outlets. Among them, Dell plans to ship pre-ordered Windows 10 systems on July 29.
With reports by Gregg Keizer at Computerworld.