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| New PC's to be labelled Vista Capable |
| Monday, April 03, 2006 at 17:37 by Peter Smith |
Microsoft has launched a new program which will allow PC makers to label new systems "Vista Capable". Although the release date is still not confirmed Microsoft claims this move means there is no reason to wait till Microsoft launches Windows Vista before you deploy PCs in your enterprises.
The minimum specs for Vista are a modern CPU, 512MB RAM & DirectX 9 class GPU although in order to fully enjoy the new graphical features of vista you will need a GPU with WDDM support.
A Microsoft spokesperson is quoted as saying Microsoft will provide minimum-hardware requirements for full versions of Vista "in the coming months."
Here are the specs as stated in the release:
Good — PC systems that meet the above requirements of a modern CPU, 512MB RAM and DirectX 9 class GPU should be able to offer a good experience, when upgraded to Windows Vista. They will offer a Windows XP comparable desktop graphics experience with regards to features, stability and performance.
Better — PCs that use a GPU with WDDM support would provide a better graphics experience - specifically enhanced graphics stability, multi-application performance and monitor hot-plugging - compared to Windows XP, when running any version of Windows Vista. Therefore, we strongly recommend procuring PC systems that include a GPU with WDDM support to get a better desktop graphics experience while running Windows Vista.
Best — PCs with appropriately configured graphics hardware, would support Windows Aero user experience that offers additional benefits of enhanced visual quality (glitch-free window redrawing), improved productivity (which includes real-time thumbnail previews, new 3-D task switching, interface scaling, etc.) and visual style (which includes translucent window frames and taskbar, enhanced transitional effects, etc.) when running premium versions of Windows Vista.
For the full low-down check the full specs here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx
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| The text calls this a spec. It looks pretty vague to me. How do you define "modern CPU"? What exactly is "appropriately configured graphics hardware". |
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| Duly noted, Recommendations is the offical Microsoft term.
Unfortunatley as yet Microsoft have only released the vauge "recommendations" as stated in the article. |
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| To be slightly fair, they haven't finished Vista yet so they don't actually know the full specs - but you'd think they have better ball park figures then this.
Those specs don't actually tell you anything, they don't even offer a comparision so can't even judge for your self. |
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| Windows should have a routine that runs on a typical desktop that tests the system for compatibility w/ Vista
and shows results indicating what is needed if anything. |
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| Its likely that when Vista is released, the install CD will run a system compatability checker to do just that. I know that XP currently does. |
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