Can you Enjoy the View?
At the end of January, Windows Vista—Microsoft’s newest operating system—should be widely available. With a new look, new features and enhanced security, Vista looks like it’s going to be a nice upgrade for Windows XP. But what hardware will you need to run it?
If you’re looking to purchase a computer that doesn’t already have Vista, you may notice it’s marked either “Vista Capable” or “Vista Premium Ready.” Vista-capable computers will run Vista, but probably won’t be able to support all of the features Vista offers, including the new Windows Aero interface which provides enhanced visual effects. So, Vista-capable computers will give you most of the new features, but not all of them. To get the whole show, you need to choose a “Vista Premium Ready” computer. This level of computer is designed to support almost all the new features, including Windows Aero.
There are a few specialized features that will require additional hardware. For example, if you want to record live TV, you will need a TV tuning card. If you want to use the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature—which allows you to encrypt your entire drive—you will need a PC with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip or a USB 2.0 key. If you are using Vista on a tablet PC (basically a laptop with a touch screen), it needs to meet the Tablet PC specification— including an electromagnetic digitizer pen that allows you to write on the screen—to take full advantage of Vista’s tablet PC features.
If you’re not purchasing a new PC and just want to know if the one you have is Vista capable, the PC needs at least:
• 800 MHz or higher processor
• 512 MB of system memory
• Graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable, at least SVGA (800 x 600).
• 20 GB hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• CD-ROM Drive
To be Vista Premium Ready, the PC needs at least:
• 1 GHZ 32-bit (x86) or higher, or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
• 40 GB hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
• DVD-ROM Drive
• Audio output capability
• Internet access capability
To see if your video card is DirectX 9 capable, right-click on "My Computer," then select "Properties." Click on the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Manager." If the section is not already expanded, click on "Display Adapters" to see the type of graphics card you have. Then look on the manufacturer's website to find the specifications for your card, which should include DirectX 9 compatibility.
Next month we'll take a look at Vista, and explore whether it's worth it to upgrade! tpw
If you’re looking to purchase a computer that doesn’t already have Vista, you may notice it’s marked either “Vista Capable” or “Vista Premium Ready.” Vista-capable computers will run Vista, but probably won’t be able to support all of the features Vista offers, including the new Windows Aero interface which provides enhanced visual effects. So, Vista-capable computers will give you most of the new features, but not all of them. To get the whole show, you need to choose a “Vista Premium Ready” computer. This level of computer is designed to support almost all the new features, including Windows Aero.
There are a few specialized features that will require additional hardware. For example, if you want to record live TV, you will need a TV tuning card. If you want to use the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature—which allows you to encrypt your entire drive—you will need a PC with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip or a USB 2.0 key. If you are using Vista on a tablet PC (basically a laptop with a touch screen), it needs to meet the Tablet PC specification— including an electromagnetic digitizer pen that allows you to write on the screen—to take full advantage of Vista’s tablet PC features.
If you’re not purchasing a new PC and just want to know if the one you have is Vista capable, the PC needs at least:
• 800 MHz or higher processor
• 512 MB of system memory
• Graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable, at least SVGA (800 x 600).
• 20 GB hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
• CD-ROM Drive
To be Vista Premium Ready, the PC needs at least:
• 1 GHZ 32-bit (x86) or higher, or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
• 40 GB hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
• DVD-ROM Drive
• Audio output capability
• Internet access capability
To see if your video card is DirectX 9 capable, right-click on "My Computer," then select "Properties." Click on the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Manager." If the section is not already expanded, click on "Display Adapters" to see the type of graphics card you have. Then look on the manufacturer's website to find the specifications for your card, which should include DirectX 9 compatibility.
Next month we'll take a look at Vista, and explore whether it's worth it to upgrade! tpw