i really dont see a difference giving a strict date vs giving a deadline. deadline means that you can get your device before the date if all goes well, stright date means either shipping at day given or delay. reasonable person can look "oh, it is 30.11.2009 or earlier. so i must wait to monday 30.11.2009". if device ships earlier, customer will have happy surprise. stright date means that you either get the device when announced or be very pissed off.