"The Windows 7 beta is actually an upgrade, not a full new install. You need to have a machine running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to install the beta."
I am of the firm belief that this is infact incorrect and simply a misread piece of information. Possibly the journo had one too many coffees or was a little sleep deprived after the excitement of CES...
Have a gander at http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/01/07/information-on-downloading-and-installing-windows-7-beta.aspx it states:
The Windows 7 Beta only supports Windows Vista SP1 to Windows 7 upgrades. So if you intend to do an upgrade - be sure it is on a PC running Windows Vista with Service Pack 1.
I read this as: "if you WANT to upgrade, you must have Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 installed" and not that it is an explicit requirement.
Feel free to prove me wrong, of course.
Windows 7 can't be patched online yet, but after release if these sites have copies that can be, then I doubt Microsoft would be so happy.
Hang on, it can't be updated with Windows Updates released for it?
I think you are wrong.
A list is only as strong as its weakest link. -- Don Knuth