Windows Home Server won't launch on August 27

From the too-good-to-be-true files: Windows Home Server (WHS) is not going to launch on August 27.

It sounds like the launch of the product is still on schedule for late September-early October.

Long Zheng of istartedsomething.com discovered WHS as listed as "generally available" as of August 27 (according to Microsoft's lifecycle support page last week). But that date is not what it seems, a Microsoft spokeswoman said.

"The only thing that is available on Aug. 27 is tech support for system builders," she said.

"Based on our RTM (release to manufacturing) announcement in July, the software was released to OEMs and is making its way out through the distribution channels. We're looking forward to seeing system builder products based on Windows Home Server hit the market. But as you know, Microsoft does not release system builder or OEM pricing. We'll have more information about the actual system builder products when we launch later this year," the spokeswoman added.

Some distributors outside the U.S. already have begun posting prices for Windows Home Server, starting at $150 per system-builder copy," according to Computerworld.

Update on August 22: Looks like launch day, at least for the HP MediSmart Home Server models, is September 15. (Thanks to WindowsConnected.com for spotting the link.) The 500 GB model will be priced at $596; a one terabyte system is priced at $745, according to the WeGotServed blog.