ZONE-X Blog: January, 2007

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January 22

Windows Vista: Should I upgrade?

We have been getting a ton of questions from clients and website visitors about Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Vista. The new operating system is trying to replace Windows XP as the new standard in the PC workspace. The big question, SHOULD I UPGRADE? Here's our opinion on the subject matter...

Most consumer users are using PC's bought in the last 2-3 years. Windows XP represented a very broad usability specification in terms of what kind of power needed to be implemented to run it, and run it well. Systems ranging from under 1Ghz and 256MB of memory were able to make it crawl, but to get Windows XP running well, something above 1Ghz and 512MB of RAM were essential. Windows Vista is the most demanding operating system in the world. They have offered system specifications that aren't too far off from what most of consumers are using. However, is it absolutely necessary to upgrade hardware in order to use Windows Vista? You bet, and here's why...

Windows Vista claims to be able to run with the following minimum specifications:

Microsoft Vista Home Basic

800-megahertz (MHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processor
512 megabytes (MB) of system memory
DirectX 9-class graphics card
32 MB of graphics memory
20-gigabyte (GB) hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space
Internal or external DVD drive
Internet access capability
Audio output capability

Microsoft Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Vista Business, Microsoft Vista Enterprise, and Microsoft Vista Ultimate

1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
1 GB of system memory
Windows Aero-capable graphics card
128 MB of graphics memory
40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
Internal or external DVD drive
Internet access capability
Audio output capability

These are some pretty beefy requirements, especially since most of us will need to completely upgrade our hardware to facilitate the ability run the OS. Not to mention, the hardware upgrade costs are just one facet of the big picture... Don't forget how much this new version of Windows will cost... Nearly double the price of the most powerful version of Windows XP - Windows XP Professional (Retail for $200). Windows Vista Ultimate will tip the charts at $400 (MSRP). This will knock out the budget of any small business wishing to jump to the next level of Microsoft product offerings.

Our suggestion is this... WAIT! Just give it some time. As Vista is released to market (which has still yet not OFFICALLY happened), you will start to hear the hype and news about its actual usage. Bugs, updates, patches, incompatibilities will begin to surface (as they already have). Stay strong, sit back, and let things take their course. I would venture to say that Windows Vista will be ripe and ready by Summer 2007. Byt then, Quad-core processors will have pushed the price of dual-core down a bit. Memory is always volatile, so you can't predict the expenditure on RAM... And hard drives simply continue to amass volume on a monthly basis.

When the time comes, our suggestion on hardware would be:

Processor: 2.0Ghz Dual-core (Core Duo Intel)
Memory: 1-2GB (If you can afford an extra gig, GET IT!)
Hard Drive: Due to volume of the OS by itself, home users should plan 300GB or more, Business 150GB or more
Drives: DVD+R/W (Don't wait for HD or Blu-Ray)
Vista: Get the best bang for your buck - Home users should get Vista Home Premium; Business users should get Vista Business (unless video/photo editing or storage is in your line of work - then get Ultimate).

Remember, nobody got hurt by waiting for the next bus. Sit tight, it is not going to pass you by. Just wait until they get all the kinks worked out.

ZoNE-X