As many of you may know, the next version of Windows, Windows Vista (codenamed "Longhorn"), is scheduled to be released something in fall 2006. Microsoft has noted that Vista has been designed with an eye towards security, and as such Vista will probably include features such as an integrated Windows Defender (currently known as Microsoft Antispyware). The entire graphical interface has been reworked into a sleeker and more sophisticated (or, as some people would say, more OSX-like) interface currently known as Aero.
Therein lies one of the major roadblocks for people considering upgrading to Vista: of all of the new features in Windows Vista, Aero in particular will require some hefty specs in order to run. In particular, Microsoft states that the following are required:
1. A "modern" processor [AMD]
[Intel]
2. At least 512 MB of system memory
3. A directX-compatible graphics card that supports the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) [ATI] [nVidia]
I suspect that these specs should not be a problem for many members of the community, as graphics enthusiasts and gamers tend to have systems with cards that can handle more resource-intensive graphics work, but quite a number of people, particularly those with integrated graphics chips, will find themselves left behind, especially because many motherboards with integrated chips fail to include either AGP or PCI-E slots for graphics cards.
For more information on hardware requirements, see the Enterprise Planning Guidelines posted on the Microsoft Technet site: [link]
One more interesting thing to note that generated some degree of buzz a little while back is the fact that Windows Vista will come in something like nine flavors to cater to various types of home users, gamers, business and enterprise users, and users who live in Europe (a "reduced media edition"). Of these many versions, all but the most basic will come in both 32 and 64-bit varieties.
So, will your computer be able to run Vista as is, and if so, will you make the switch?
