Windows Vista

Windows has released the PC specs that you’ll need to run their next operating system, Windows Vista. At first, people were saying that you’ll need a super computer to run Vista with all its nifty new features and upgrades. But as I’ve discovered, if you bought your computer after 2001, you’ll probably will be fine.

Minimum Specs

• A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
• 512 MB of system memory.
• A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

Recommended Specs

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
• 1 GB of system memory.
• 128 MB of graphics memory.
• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• DVD-ROM Drive.
• Audio output capability.
• Internet access capability.

The best way of finding out if your PC is Windows Vista ready is to download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

This little application will tell you if your PC is capable of running Windows Vista as well as which version of Vista will be the optimal choice, and since there are 5 flavours of Vista being released, I’m sure that will be one of the biggest question being asked.

The 5 different versions are (quoted from the Microsoft website):

Windows Vista Business
Regardless of the size of your organization, Windows Vista Business will help you lower your PC management costs, improve your security, enhance your productivity, and help you stay better connected.

Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to meet the needs of large global organizations with highly complex IT infrastructures. Windows Vista Enterprise can help you lower your IT costs while providing additional layers of protection for your sensitive data.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Whether you choose to use your PC to write e-mail and surf the Internet, for home entertainment, or to track your household expenses, Windows Vista Home Premium delivers a more complete and satisfying computing experience.

Windows Vista Ultimate
If you want all of the best business features, all of the best mobility features, and all of the best home entertainment features that Windows Vista has to offer, Windows Vista Ultimate is the solution for you. With Windows Vista Ultimate you don’t have to compromise.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Basic is designed to deliver improved reliability, security, and usability to home PC users who just want to do the basics with their PCs.

So as you can see, there will be tons of questions people are going to be asking about the next Windows OS. Go visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx and see for yourself.