At Last...Full Vista Requirements

After a longer-than-expected wait and a few hints, Microsoft has finally released the specifications about what your computer needs to run their new version of Windows, "Vista," due for release around the first of next year.

In fact, Microsoft has two programs to handle these specifications: First, is what is being called the "Vista-capable" program tells you what computers meet a minimum set of requirements to tout themselves as able to run the new Windows.

The second program is called "Premium Ready." Computer makers who meet higher requirements will be able to tout their machines as "Premium Ready," indicating the PCs are able to take advantage of higher-end features, such as Vista's Aero graphics.

Microsoft has also launched "Get Ready" Web site, which includes an Upgrade Advisor tool to help people determine just how Vista-ready an existing PC is. The downloadable program is designed to tell people which features and versions of Vista their PC is able to run, thereby abstracting some of the complex requirements of Vista. For example, Aero graphics require a certain amount of memory bandwidth--a measurement of PC performance that few people are likely to know about in their machine. The advisor tool will simply say whether a PC will work out or not, rather than focus on specific requirements.

Microsoft also published the official minimum requirements for Vista, largely matching the Vista-capable specifications. Systems need an 800 MHz processor, 512MB of memory, a 20GB hard drive with 15GB of free space and a CD-ROM drive. That guarantees access to Vista's core features, but not Aero and other premium features.

Most computers now on the market should be Vista-capable, according to Microsoft. For example, all systems introduced by Dell this year are Vista-capable. The majority of Dell's Vista-capable machines will support Aero graphics and more than three-fourths of its models can be configured to run the fancier graphics. Dell is also offering 17 custom-configured systems that are designed to support Aero.