Oh boy, just what the world needs and has been begging for
– a new Microsoft operating system. This one is called
Vista and it went on sale in 70 countries at the end of this
last January, along with new versions of Microsoft Exchange
e-mail software and the flagship Office business suite, which
includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. More than five years
in the making, Vista was released for businesses last November,
but the unveiling for consumers only came on Tuesday. Vista
retails for $100 to $400, depending on the version and whether
the user is upgrading from Windows XP.
Microsoft contends that Vista is such a huge improvement over
previous computing platforms that users inevitably say “Wow”
when they see it. Bill Gates ticked off some examples, such
as how Vista presents a slick 3-D graphical user interface
and document icons that give at-a-glance previews. Vista has
also added in programs that users once bought separately --
including automated backup systems and some spyware protections.
Microsoft built Vista so that different layers could be upgraded
separately, so it’s possible that this is the last massive,
all-in-one update for Windows.
So the question is: “should you or shouldn’t you”
take the plunge and upgrade your current computer?
First you need to determine even IF you can upgrade to it
or not. This means checking to see if your existing computer
AND the programs you run can actually work with the new OS.
Let’s look at what Microsoft says your computer must
include. (Remember, this is Microsoft, so you might want to
double what they say!) They say a Windows Vista Capable PC
includes at least:
At least a processor (CPU) of 1GHz;
512 MB of system memory; and
A graphics card that is DirectX9 capable.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1+ GHz CPU;
1+ GB of system memory;
A graphics card that is DirectX9 capable; with 128 MB of graphics
memory;
80GB of hard drive capacity with 20GB free space;
DVD drive;
Audio output capability; and
Internet access.
I would recommend, at least:
2 GHz CPU;
2 GB of system memory;
A graphics card that is DirectX9 capable; with 1 GB of graphics
memory;
200GB of hard drive capacity with 80GB free space;
DVD-RW drive;
Audio output capability; and
Internet access with broadband capability.
You can use any of these sites and have them run some tests
for you to check your computer:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/vistaready/default.asp PC Pitstop’s
“Vista Readiness Test” quickly analyzes your PC
against the Microsoft specification.
Or: http://ati.amd.com/technology/windowsvista/AreYouVistaReady.html
Or: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
Now the question is SHOULD YOU upgrade? Well the short answer
is “NO”! Of course most people recommend that
you should NEVER upgrade to the newest release of anything.
Like a V1.0 or 2.0, for instance. So, at least, wait for Vista
SP1. It’ll be out in a few months. Also, don’t
forget, there aren’t many programs that can take advantage
of the new OS, YET! Another reason to wait.
HOWEVER, having said that, let me add that if you are buying
a new computer now or soon, then, of course, you want to be
sure it comes with the new Vista OS already installed. Why,
because you’ll be sure it runs Vista!
