There has been a number of posts on when to use Sysprep and even if it is required. Based on the Microsoft TechNet document here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824816.aspx, it is still required.

A Sysprep image is the best used when cloning or reimaging a computer. There are a number System Administrations out there who are still using cloning without running Sysprep /generalize. The sysprep /generalize removes unique information from your Windows installation so that you can safely reuse that image on a different computer.

So before cloning, taking an image or duplicating a disk, run SysPrep.

Sysprep is including in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 2008 R2 and Windows 2012. It is located in the %WINDIR%\system32\sysprep directory.