Windows Vista upgrade guide, part 2: hardware
Filed under: Desktops, Features, Laptops
Microsoft hasn’t been shy in helping itself to generous new box-selling hardware requirements for Vista. Though the term “bloatware” comes immediately to mind, an argument could be made for a pretty stiff bump in specs — it has been over five years since the release of its immediate predecessor, after all. Times have changed, and so have the average home and business computers. XP’s run on the desktop has seen the fall of CRTs, the commoditization of broadband, and the multiplication of processor cores, just to name a choice few of the decade’s sea changes in personal computing.
Sure, anyone can hit up Microsoft’s Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a sense of whether their XP-based box can hack it under Vista’s additional load; and yes, we all know by now that any PC with an 800MHz processor, 512MB of memory, and DirectX 9-capable graphics qualifies for the coveted “Vista Capable” designation. But what exactly is Vista doing with all that silicon? And more importantly, what does better hardware buy you? Here, we break down Vista’s hardware-dependent features line by line to find out what they are, what they need, and what they mean for users so if you do want to upgrade (or buy new), you’ll know exactly what to buy.
See also: Windows Vista upgrade guide - part 1: software
Continue reading Windows Vista upgrade guide, part 2: hardware
Permalink | Email this | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
