Microsoft Details Vista Hardware Requirements

Winga

Microsoft added to the uproar and excitement surrounding the pending arrival of the Windows Vista operating system, with its release of Vista hardware requirements for consumers who are getting ready to make the switch.

According to Microsoft's Mike Sievert, the "Get Ready" campaign they have recently launched, aims to bring clarity to the decision-making process to aid customers make hardware upgrade decisions, to accommodate Vista.

Some, however, believe the process is too confusing. "I don't understand why buying a computer has to be this hard," said Directions on Microsoft lead analyst Michael Cherry. Of course, the Windows Vista Capable logo intends to assure customers that the PCs they buy today will be ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista. Cherry, however, does not want a machine that is merely capable, he wants to be able to exploit the full functionality of the operating system.

"The only safe way to proceed at this point is not to buy a computer for the next six months or so until Vista ships," Cherry noted. "I think a lot of customers will defer purchases. These very-hard-to-interpret specifications hurt Microsoft's partners, because if a consumer can't figure out what to buy, they won't purchase."

Source: TechNewsWorld

Garg

To qualify as Capable or Premium Ready, PCs must meet or exceed rigid requirements. A Vista Capable computer needs an 800 MHz processor, 512 MB of memory and a DirectX 9-capable graphics card.

Premium Ready machines need a 1 GHz processor, 128 MB of graphics memory, 1 GB of system memory, a 40 GB hard drive, and an internal or external DVD-ROM drive.