Microsoft has released two roadmaps at this years Professional Developer’s Conference (PDC 2009) which both seem to suggest a Windows 8 release in 2012.
Credit Steven Chapman
The roadmaps that Microsoft showcased at the conference show the Microsoft server releases over the years.
The first of the two roadmaps does mention Windows 7 (but not Windows Vista) along with Windows Server 2003 and 2008 releases.
The 2012 release is codenamed Windows 8.
Windows 8 will be a major release as opposed to the release updates Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.
Based on Steven Sinorfsky’s reputation (and the stellar job he did on 7), it probably will make that date…
I think releasing Windows 8 in 2011 would seem rushed especially with the success of Windows 7 so far. With SP1 just being released I would think they could wait. Of course with a business model that requires new products to drive profit, I’m sure they will rush it to market as soon as possible.