Microsoft has released two sets of hardware specifications for running Windows Vista - Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready. The specs are available on Windows Vista Get Ready website.
All Windows Vista Capable PCs will be able to run at least the core experiences of Windows Vista.
All Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the new Windows Aero user experience.
Windows Vista Capable PCs can run Windows PC smoothly but the new Windows Aero user experience will not be available.
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
* A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
* 512 MB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs will give the full experience of Vista.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
* 1 GB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
* 128 MB of graphics memory.
A PC that is Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready means that the PC is ready for an upgrade from Windows XP.
Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
windowsvista.com/getready - Windows Vista Specs
Windows Vista Minimum Supported System Requirements
All Windows Vista Capable PCs will be able to run at least the core experiences of Windows Vista.
All Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the new Windows Aero user experience.
Windows Vista Capable PCs can run Windows PC smoothly but the new Windows Aero user experience will not be available.
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
* A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
* 512 MB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs will give the full experience of Vista.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
* 1 GB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
* 128 MB of graphics memory.
A PC that is Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready means that the PC is ready for an upgrade from Windows XP.
Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
windowsvista.com/getready - Windows Vista Specs
Windows Vista Minimum Supported System Requirements