With Microsoft's Windows 7 preview getting positive reviews, and Windows Vista riding into the sunset, the computer industry is  enduring a lame-duck period -- that moment in time when people wait to buy for fear of missing out on the next big thing. And the economy isn't exactly helping, either.

Microsoft and PC makers are expected to juice up the market later this year with offers of free or discounted upgrades to Windows 7 for people who buy Windows Vista machines in advance of the new operating system's release. But in the meantime, one Seattle-area computer builder is taking matters into its own hands.

Puget Systems is promising free upgrades to Windows 7 to customers who buy computers with Windows Vista Ultimate or Home Premium 64-bit versions starting next week. Jon Bach, Puget Systems' president (and a recent TechFlash guest commentator) explained that it's a strategic move, made independent of Microsoft, to help generate buzz and stimulate the company's PC sales.

Computerworld wrote about the offer earlier today, and its readers responded favorably to the concept.

"This a good time for us to create some excitement and do something for our customers that gets us exposure we wouldn't have otherwise," Bach said, citing the lull created by the anticipation of Windows 7 and new Intel chips.

The company is requiring people to buy a full computer system -- not just a hard drive, for example -- to be eligible for the offer. The company specializes in higher-end machines, starting around $1,000. Puget will essentially be breaking even after customers come back for the Windows 7 upgrade, Bach said, because it will be buying the new operating system for them.

However, the company is seeking to reduce its support costs by requiring customers to let its technicians perform the upgrade themselves. And because the computers could be a year or so old at that point, Bach certainly wouldn't discourage them from buying hardware upgrades when they bring their machines back into the shop.

"We're hoping there will be people who take advantage of that," Bach said, "and turn our break-even into something just a little bit better."