Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs:
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC is a computer that can deliver a better Vista experience than Windows Vista Capable PCs. While Vista Capable PCs offer only the core experience of Vista, Premium Ready PCs can take advantage of more of the Vista features present in a particular Vista edition.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC is a computer that can deliver a better Vista experience than Windows Vista Capable PCs. While Vista Capable PCs offer only the core experience of Vista, Premium Ready PCs can take advantage of more of the Vista features present in a particular Vista edition.
Windows Vista Capable PCs vs Premium PCs: Vista Capable PCs are capable of running Vista, but they can't take advantage of every feature available in Vista. Only Vista Premium PCs can take advantage of all the features in Vista, including Windows Aero. Windows Aero is a new interface and visual style that adds additional sophistication and convenience to the appearance of Vista.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PC Requirements: To qualify for the Vista Premium Ready PC designation, a computer must have:
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB of RAM
- 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 Drive
- Audio output capability
- Internet access capability
The Windows Vista Premium Ready Experience: While Microsoft hasn't completely spelled out the differences between the features a Vista Capable PC will use and those available only to Vista Premium PCs, one primrary difference is Windows Aero. Windows Aero is a new interface and visual style that includes live taskbar thumbnails, transparent window frames, and Flip3D. Windows Aero only runs on computers that meet the Windows Vista Premium PC requirements, so you won't be able to enjoy Aero on a Vista Capable PC.
When it comes down to it, Windows Aero is mostly eye candy that won't do much to improve your computing experience. The core Windows Vista experience - improved search tools, live icons in Windows Explorer, User Account Control, better backup and restore tools, better multimedia features, and more - will work on Windows Vista Capable PCs.
Since Premium Ready PCs come with higher performance hardware, expect to pay considerably more for a Premium Ready PC than a Vista Capable PC. The higher performance hardware is only needed for gamers, designers, and others with advanced computing needs; a Vista Capable PC is adequate for routine use by most people.
When it comes down to it, Windows Aero is mostly eye candy that won't do much to improve your computing experience. The core Windows Vista experience - improved search tools, live icons in Windows Explorer, User Account Control, better backup and restore tools, better multimedia features, and more - will work on Windows Vista Capable PCs.
Since Premium Ready PCs come with higher performance hardware, expect to pay considerably more for a Premium Ready PC than a Vista Capable PC. The higher performance hardware is only needed for gamers, designers, and others with advanced computing needs; a Vista Capable PC is adequate for routine use by most people.