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Microsoft's Windows Vista Minimum Requirements: the Get Ready Campaign

Microsoft Windows Vista Minimum Specs, the Get Ready campaign, and probable launch-date of Vista beta 2.

Seven days before the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle, Microsoft started a campaign showcasing the Microsoft Windows Vista, and its minimum PC specifications/requirements. The WinHEC will probably also host the launch of MS Windows Vista beta 2.

Mike Sievert, corporate VP of Windows® Product Management and Marketing at Microsoft:

"Customers have many options and choices to make when it comes to buying a PC today. A wide range of form factors, price points and new technologies figure into their decisions. With that in mind, Microsoft and OEMs are making it easier to prepare for the arrival of Windows Vista. Customers now have the information they need to get a great Windows XP- based PC today that will deliver rich Windows Vista experiences tomorrow."

Windows Vista staff claim that the OS can scale depending on the system's specifications. If Windows Vista is not lavish enough for the prince in you, you can opt for Premium editions like Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate.

PC producers, namely Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, NEC, Sony, and Toshiba (among the many) will start delivering "Windows Vista Capable"-branded systems.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs will render the new Windows Aero(TM) breathtaking desktop interface.

Dell's John Medica, Gateway's Greg Memo, Lenovo's Philippe Davy, as well as Toshiba's Hisatsugu Nonaka, all representatives of their companies at the event, stated their support for Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready systems being delivered to the shelves as soon as possible, if not already there.

A Windows Vista Capable computer should feature an +800Mhz CPU, 512MB of RAM, and a DirectX 9 compatible GPU, plus 20 GB free of HD for both installation and current use.

Those wanting a Windows Vista Premium Ready PC should search for a system delivering an x86 CPU at over 1GHz (or a 64-bit based processor), 1GB of RAM, 128MB of video memory, a 40GB HDD with 15GB free, a DVD-ROM drive, audio output and internet connection capabilities. Windows Aero requires a DirectX 9-class graphics processor supporting WDDM, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, and 32 bits per pixel.