Windows Vista, the next generation of the windows operating system is going to be released in January 2007,
according to Microsoft. This is a very powerful and dynamic program with specific system specifications.

I am getting emails and phone calls asking me "Should I upgrade to Windows Vista?" and
"Can my computer be upgraded to Windows Vista?"

These are hard questions to answer but I will try.

This is what I ask my customers: "Why do you want to upgrade to Windows Vista?".
Most just want the newest version of windows without knowing what Windows Vista is all about.
So if you're asking the question "Should I upgrade to Windows Vista?" take the following points into consideration.
First, your pc will need to meet the following specifications in order to upgrade to use the very basic features of
this new operating system.

Minimum system requirements to use the very basics of Windows Vista
· A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
· 512 MB of system memory.
· A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

BUT

The recommended system requirements to use all the features of Windows Vista are:
· 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
· 1 GB of system memory.
· Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)2,
Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
· 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
· DVD-ROM Drive3.
· Audio output capability.
· Internet access capability.

Is your computer ready for Windows Vista?

Second, can you afford Windows Vista? The upgrade for the Home Premium version is going to retail for $199.00
and a new clean install version is going to retail for $299.

Third, what version will you need, there are several to choose from, but to utilize all of the features it offers
most will want at least the Home Premium version. To see more about the features the different versions have to
offer go to the Microsoft Windows Vista home page.

Fourth, will you use all the "fancy" features you're paying for in Windows Vista? Probably not, as I stated before
it is a very powerful and dynamic system. I am a power user and really don't have the need for anything more than
what my Windows XP offers me. But as a computer tech I need to know the program so I can keep up with
the latest technology.

I will purchase an upgrade copy – although I'm not looking forward to it after reading reviews about some of
the problems with upgrading from Windows XP.

Don't make a rash decision; go to Microsoft Windows Vista home page and check out all the features of the
different versions and the system specifications; then read some review by searching on "Windows Vista reviews".
My advice is wait a few months after the release in January and research it again.

Be Safe not sorry

The Computer Lady





Patty, the Computer Lady, teaches her clients how to fix, protect and make their computers last. She's been doing that for over 11 years. Questions? Write: [email protected] or visit her at: www.fix-and-protect-your-pc.com/fix-your-pc.html