Vista Hardware Requirements

Vista Hardware Requirements - May 19, 2006

As Windows Vista is getting closer to launch, Microsoft has published a comprehensive guide to outline the minimum hardware requirements necessary to run their new operating system. Their new “Get Ready” program will help consumers, who are planning to purchase new machines, determine whether their new computer will be able to run Vista. According to Microsoft, to be able to run Windows Vista on the bare minimum specifications, your hardware must meet the following:

Processor: 800 MHz / 32-bit or 64-bit
System Memory: at least 512MB
Hard Drive: 20GB (15GB free)
Optical Drive: CD-ROM drive

However, to be able “To better experience Windows Vista,” (use the new “aero theme“) you must have the following hardware specifications:

Processor: 1 GHz / 32-bit or 64-bit
System Memory: 1GB recommended
Graphics Processor: DirectX 9 capable
Graphics Memory: 128MB or above
Hard Drive: 40GB (15GB free space)
Optical Drive: DVD-ROM or CD-ROM
Others: Audio Out and Internet Access

Most new computer manufacturers such as Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, Sony, and more will begin to brand their machines with “Windows Vista Capable” logos. If you want to know whether your machine can run Windows Vista, visit Microsoft’s “Get Ready” website. Microsoft has also released a “Vista Upgrade Advisor” tool which will determine if the hardware on your machine is “Vista Capable”.

Links: “Get Ready” Information | Windows Vista | Microsoft
Other Links: Offical Press Release | Vista Upgrade Advisor
Related: Windows Vista Editions | Wikipedia: Windows Vista

Tags: computer, microsoft, os, pc, vista, windows, xp

posted by Sahas Katta in Hardware & Software
on 5/19/2006 at 02:48 AM with Comments (5) & TrackPings (1)

Comments Feed

Trackback Link

Write a Comment.

5 comments.

5/21/2006 03:42 PM

okay-dokey says

Another new windows! Really how can it be better, do more than XP? Swear Bill Gates is in bed with the hardware companies! So now many people will feel they need to upgrade their PC’s & for what? To surf the web & read a few e-mails? Lucky my 64 bit lap-top should be able to cope, if I double the memory! Then I have to buy the new windows software & probably a new version of Office?
No way, Linux here I come :o)

5/21/2006 09:47 PM

M3 says

Yeah, i agree. Windows XP is just fine and maybe even great. i still cant wait for vista tho….lol

6/21/2006 02:29 PM

Angel says

Vista runs fine on my 2.6 p4 with 1 gig of ram of course this is beta 2 and its a bit buggy. Im loving the ability to resize partitions on the fly it kills the need for partition magic.

12/25/2006 09:34 PM