Vista Readiness site
Ok, so to answer the question, what do I need to be running from a HW perspective for Vista, here is the announcement and data for readiness:
Today we will be announcing the launch of the Windows Vista “Get Ready” Web site, worldwide availability and partner support for Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs, and the availability of Windows Upgrade Advisor beta. We understand that customers have many options and choices to make when it comes to buying a PC today. A wide range of form factors, price points and technologies factor into their decisions, and they also are factoring in the pending launch of Windows Vista. We want to do everything we can to make it easier for customers to prepare now for the arrival of Windows Vista, whether they are buying new PCs or are planning to upgrade their current PCs. With the guidance we announce today, customers now have more tools they can use to determine how to get the most out of their future Windows Vista experiences.
With this announcement, we will convey:
· There is no need to wait until Windows Vista™ launches to buy a new PC or to prepare current PCs for a Windows Vista upgrade.
· Microsoft is working with leading PC manufacturers today to provide explicit guidance on what is needed to run the new operating system in an effort to help inform customers contemplating new PCs or hardware upgrades between now and the launch of Windows Vista.
· That guidance, in the form of the Windows Vista “Get Ready” Web site, the worldwide availability of Windows Vista “Capable” and “Premium Ready” PCs and the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta -- will help customers make confident decisions regarding their Windows®-based hardware and will enable them to take full advantage of the great experiences of Windows Vista when available.
o Windows XP-based PCs with the Windows Vista Capable logo can run the core experiences of Windows Vista such as innovations in finding and organizing information, security and reliability.
o PCs that are designated as Windows Vista Premium Ready can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the Windows Aero™ user experience
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
- A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
- 512 MB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
- 20 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
- 1 GB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero.
- 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.
Some features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware. More guidance on the requirements for these specific features is available at the “Get Ready” Web site. Guidance for businesses will be refreshed on TechNet, see here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/default.mspx
Supporting resources for more information:
I hope this information helps you in your planning for Windows Vista.
