Windows Vista is the much touted and latest operating system from Microsoft. Like most software, the publisher establishes minimum hardware requirements of your computer for the program to operate normally.
Microsoft says that a “Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least a modern processor (at least 800 MHz), 512 MB system memory, a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.” [See website.] They do indicate that the nifty new Windows Aero interface only comes in the premium versions of the software and that advanced or additional hardware may be required.
Many computer makers have been marketing their computers as “Windows Vista Capable.” The trouble is your idea of a “capable” computer may differ from that of manufacturers and Microsoft.
According to Dell, if you buy their minimum configuration for a “Windows Vista Capable” computer, here is what you can expect:
*MOUSE PRINT:
Translation:Â The computer will turn on, but you can’t do too much with it.
A computer manufacturer’s primary focus is selling computers, not the operating systems.
This marketing ploy is aimed at less than savvy consumers who assume that once a new
computer is in their home it will be completely operational, and to that extent, it’s
shady. If computer manufactures were up front about what they were selling they’d
make it clear in bold lettering that a Windows operation system is required for the
computer to be functional.
Vista sounds like a total joke to me!
Vista capable means you won’t even be able to send e-mail….
Also, Aero and Dx10 are the only reasons of getting vista, and dx10 will probably be “fixed” after some time.
@ Mike: And why does it make computer buyers less savy when they expect to be buying a product that actually works when they use it? You’re a bad company if you even try to sell product that don’t do what a buyer can resonably expect. Example: when I buy a lamp, I expect to come home, (assemble the lamp if necesary,) plug it in and light to come out of it. I don’t expect to come home, (assemble if necesary,) and find that I need to install wiring in the lamp. Neither do I expect to plug it in, and blow out all my fuses. Same for computers: when I buy one, I expect to come home and it to start running when I plug it in.
In addition, the Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade advisor will say that a computer is able to upgrade to Vista even if their motherboard is not fully compliant with ACPI power configurations that Vista requires. This can and has lead people to buy the upgrade without having required hardware only to find out after they’ve opened the un-returnable software that it will not work with their computer.
Hey !!
Like I’m still using DOS 3.1 — Let’s face it, ya’ don’t need most of the bells and whistles (most of which don’t tinkle or tweet, anyway!) that are in the latest operating systems.
IT’S A BIG WASTE OF ENERGY, TIME, MONEY, BRAINS, etc., etc.
So from the new Windows Vista to a Mac, which one would someone recommend (pitching the question to those who know their OPS)? Thanks
It’s just like when they were selling Windows XP SP2 computers with 256 MB of RAM still, you could boot the computer, but the operating system itself waned at lest 320 MB of RAM for it’s own personal use. Sure you could rum IE or something small, but you went nowhere fast and it could cause problems to have 1 application open
AB, take a look at Windows, Mac, and Linux, they each have strong areas and I am a firm believer in use the right OS for the job, My general rule of thumb, Mac for graphics, Linux for servers, Windows for solitaire.
As for MY opinion on what computer to buy
Macs do a lot of the graphical editing pictures/movies/music easier and much more powerful on those areas. Macs are also very easy to use, most windows users have problems on Mac because they try to over-complicate things
Linux for anything relating to servers and heavy network traffic, also comes with a lot of free apps and does a lot of basic things without any added software, does require some learning and willingness to search Google for your tech support answers
Windows is best for gaming. I am a gamer, and along with my Mac and Linux computers, I run windows computers too, just for my games. It’s also great for all the basic computer functions, surfing the internet, word processing, general picture editing, email, it can do all that, and if you are familiar with windows and don’t like to go outside your box a lot, stick with it. Windows PCs are generally cheaper than Macs, but Macs tend to come as a more All-In-One package.
It’s all for you to decide for yourself, don’t listen to a salesmen who ONLY sells one or the other, go to someplace that sells both and speak to both their Mac and PC experts, each of them will be biased and you’ll have to take points from both. I hope you enjoy your new PC whatever it is!
main point with vista is “Nothing new”
you might as well throw your money away, you can see it drift in the win. Vista is about increased shinyness. That’s it.
the only reason to prefer vista over XP (or 2000) is that it’s more shiny. The only real new feature is of course Dx10, which, by a marketing ploy of M$ is vista only, even though it would theoretically work perfectly on XP.
The other new thing is the possibility to use a flashdrive to create a virtual Hybrid HD (oh yeah, vista supports those to, even though they don’t excist yet)
@jasper, it might be true for a lamp, but do you expect your car to work at the push of a button? no, you still need to operate it. Same with a PC, make sure it all works. Not knowing how computers work is not really an excuse.
I keep thinking that M$ should have used the phrase ” The Cash Cow starts Now ” as opposed to the wow starts now.
It only makes sense as nothing really runs right unless you buy a new version for Vista.
Just sic if you ask me.
Since the situation of other OSs came up…OSs are a lot like cars.
The Mac is like a Lexus–pretty easy to use, very comfortable, but you’re gonna pay through the nose for it and everything related to it. (Less so now on Macs, but still mostly true.)
Windows is like your standard American car (Ford or Chevy)–accessible, cheap base models, very customizable. However, if you want to add turbo and power windows and whatever else, you’ll end up paying more than the Lexus. (You can buy the parts a little at a time to save money, but you’ll end up with a band-aid solution that may cause other things to break.)
Linux is like a bicycle–streamlined and can take you anywhere that a car goes. Parts are very cheap and you may be able to get them for free (coat-hanger to replace a spoke.) The biggest problem is that you have to be a mechanic to get it to do what the other two do out of the box. Add a motor and the thing will fly because it’s low in weight. And talk about gas-mileage? Whew–awesome. But it’s just not for everyone who wants to drive to work in the rain. Sure, they are now selling “mopeds” that have the motors built in, plus mag wheels and helmets, etc, but as they add these things, they are simply making something as complex as Windows or the Mac.
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Regarding the problem of Windows people having trouble with Macs, I foudn that most of the problems are not from making things overly complex but rather simply being used to doing things differentLY. For example, the Lexus may require you to push a button on the dashboard to open the trunk…very intuitive to someone who grew up with it but not to someone who’s standing at the trunk trying to figure out where to put the key in…my biggest complaint is with the one-button mouse that doesn’t let me select a menu with a click until I drag the mouse all over the place and perfectly align it. I’d like to be able to click the menu, move the mouse to s submenu and click again…without the menu closing. I also hate that new feature in Windows but at least it *tries* to stay open for me for a bit.
RD, I love your analogies, I agree whole heartedly. The one thing I didn’t get with my Mac was a mouse, I took it out of the box and got my $55 back from the apple store, but on the way home I stopped at my favorite electronics store and purchased a Microsoft laser mouse, $40, and I have multi button capabilities for my Mac. The only Microsoft product I actually prefer over any other brand.
sorry, RS I agree with you, RD is my coworker and I typed it out of habit.
Vista is fine, but this ploy is dispicable. The whole point of an operating system is that it “operates”. You should be ashamed!
your memory table is wrong, because with 512MB you’re able to use a lot of common applications without problems
cas,
They’re using DELL’S OWN memory table, did you bother to read the page at all? Also, that table is based off of Vista’s useage, not XP’s. Windows XP wants about 320MB of RAM for the OS’s personal use, Vista, wants slightly less than 700MB if you follow a basic install (i.e. not turning off alot of options in the “advanced” section where most users shouldn’t tread).
Vista might want 700 mb, but it generally uses only 400mb of your memory, the rest is paged away. So 512mb is enough. Not fast, maybe, but enough.