Microsoft to spell out Vista's needs
On Thursday, Microsoft is expected to give details of two marketing programs that computer makers and retailers can use to indicate whether, and how well, their computers will run Windows Vista, the successor to the aging Windows XP. The ?Vista-capable? program lists the features needed to minimally run the new operating system. The ?Premium Ready? program will identify PCs that can take advantage of Vista?s high-end features, including its new Aero graphics.
To be Vista-capable, a machine needs at least an 800MHz processor, 512MB of memory and a graphics card that can run DirectX 9 graphics. To carry the Premium Ready designation, a PC must have a 1GHz processor, 1GB of main memory, 128MB of memory and a graphics card that supports Vista?s new graphics-driver model.
The new programs are designed to help PC makers characterize and label new systems, but they also give existing PC owners a better sense of whether it is feasible to upgrade their machines.
The Vista-capable program comes as Microsoft is preparing to offer a broader test version of the Windows update, which the software maker has said will be made available this quarter to about two million testers. The company also hosts its annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) for hardware makers next week in Seattle.
Posted by - GoogleFreak
May 18, 2006, 2:35 pm
News Source - C-Net News
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