Acer today potentially spoiled Microsoft's Windows 7 launch plans by revealing a launch date for the operating system. The PC builder now says to Pocket-lint that the OS will be available on October 23rd and come in time for a new all-in-one nettop from Acer, the Z5600, to come preloaded with the software. Systems will also ship as early as late September for a hands-on experience, and those who buy a system 30 days before Windows 7 releases will get a free upgrade to the new platform.

The date would come slightly after Compal's claimed September release but still has the finished Windows 7 shipping well ahead of Microsoft's publicly stated goal of early 2010. The company has readily admitted a shortened release schedule with just a single main beta and a just-released lone release candidate but has been reluctant to acknowledge a widely recognized attempt to ship Windows 7 for the holidays.

Multiple factors should render a 2009 launch of Windows 7 essential for Microsoft. The company posted its first revenue drop in 23 years just last week based largely on resistance to Vista from businesses and some home users. It will likewise have to compete with Mac OS X Snow Leopard's release later this year.