I believe that David Pogue’s review in the New York Times says it best.
Just keep that in mind if you need to upgrade your system to run Vista.
Here are the Windows Vista system requirements, from microsoft.com:
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
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.
Keep in mind that the stuff that they’re showing off is the Aero part of the system, so you’re looking at the “Premium” specs if you want what is shown in the advertisements. By “Aero”, I think they meant a watered-down version of “Leopard“, right?
What’s funny is that Macs run Windows, too. That was the selling point for me on getting a MacBook. I can run all of my programs.
(Except for a Full Throttle disc I got free from LucasArts. It couldn’t run on my Windows 95 IBM laptop from my freshman year of college, though.)
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