Usually 3-4 months from the date of release i would think.... But yeah, I have received 2009, and only installed it on my home computer, so I can play around without messing things/drawings up and causing havoc in the office. But that is personally my own preference that I do not use it till Service Pack 1 is released. Then, when it is released, I am the only one who installs it, then if its good for 2-3 weeks, i authorize the switch over to 2009. Hope this helps you and good luck with 2009.