To the new desktop or notebook PC buyers especially, you must make sure that your new purchase is at least capable of running Windows Vista, even if you are not planning to switch in near future. What a waste if you have bought a new PC now, but not capable of upgrading to Windows Vista right? However, this statement doesn’t hold true, if the new PC that you’re purchasing, is to be utilized by generation who is not keen in thorough switching of user interfaces :)
Learn more about getting ready for Windows Vista.
How Compatible is Your PC with Windows Vista?
The easiest way to tell if your current machine is upgradable to Windows Vista, or is there any incompatibility to be resolved before installing Windows Vista, is by running a small utility called Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will help you determine if your current PC is ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista. Download the Upgrade Advisor and run an analysis of your current PC and use the detailed feedback to ensure that your PC is ready for the edition of Windows Vista that you want. Click here for FAQ of Upgrade Advisor.
The Upgrade Advisor analyses your PC based on compatibilities of system hardware (hard drive space, video card, CPU, RAM, DVD drive), devices and peripherals, and programs installed. A report will be generated, which shows you the list of tasks to be performed before and after upgrading to Windows Vista.
I’ve done an analysis on the Asus laptop that I’m using at work, and I got the following system hardware compatibility report:
- Hard disk free space – Before installing Windows Vista, increase your hard disk space. You need 15 GB of free hard disk space to install Windows Vista on this drive.
- Video card - After installing Windows Vista, we recommend upgrading your video card. Your current video card will not support the Windows Aero™ user experience.
- CPU – No action required. Your computer's CPU is Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.30GHz
- System memory (RAM) – No action required. Your computer has 1.50 GB of RAM.
- DVD drive – No action required. Your computer can read DVDs.
In terms of program compatibility, the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8 is reported as being not compatible at all with Windows Vista. Other software like JRE 5.0 Update 9 and Microsoft SQL Server 9.0.1399.0 are known to have minor incompatibilities.
Hardware Driver Issues
I've heard a lot people complaining about incompatible or unrecognized hardware when using existing hardware for Windows Vista. Though the specification of those machines are technically capable of exceeding Vista's requirement, but some older hardware models are simply missing of compatible drivers.
Spot the Windows Vista Logo in New PC
If you’re shopping for new PC, hardware or peripherals, it’s not hard to see a number of logos or badges bearing the Windows Vista sign.
Windows Vista Capable
A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences at minimum, but without the new Windows Aero user interface.
Windows Vista Premium Ready
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.
Certified for Windows Vista
Software and peripherals that bear the Certified for Windows Vista logo have been tested to meet high quality standards and deliver a superior end-user experience when used with PC running a Windows Vista operating system.