I think there are only going to be rare cases of this. I just don't see Apple getting to everyone several days early. Furthermore, I did not pay for shipping, but the day after ordering they changed my order to 2-day air, so I'm sure they are going to hold it until just a couple days before next Friday.

kinda makes sense to me. heck, if i saw someone using tiger a few days early, that would make me want to be at the release party even more, if i hadn't already picked up a copy. but, i already ordered, just opted for free shipping, and the only good release party around here will be compusa WAY out of the way, so that ain't happenin...

Heck, I've waited this long ... another week seems bearable. The good news it that we'll finally have it in our hands ... and yes, talking about it right here in less than a week...

I didn't have an option to expedite my order. Do they take that option out for edu buyers?

It might just be that there are a lot of Tiger boxes to ship out and they are clearing out some space in the shipping area - and filling those FedEx trucks.
Sort of like moving cattle - move em out! Yeeeehaaaaaa! Pity MS can't do that.

Does anyone have any proof of this? I called the Apple Store and they are denying it, but they offered to help me out if I could provide the web order number for the order in question...

(Should i be suspicious or excited?)

Well, it's not true in my case. My order is slated to go out no later than the 28th by 2nd day shipping.

AppleInsider could verify the accuracy of the 2 people that claim to have copies if those people would provide their order numbers and zip codes to the administrator. That way the order status could be verified.

proof:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=13191208