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Microsoft Windows Vista On Track

Bill Gates announced the last beta version before the release of Windows Vista.

Betas of Office business software and Longhorn Windows Server were also released at the Seattle conference.

The expected beginning-of-2007 release is the third launch data, after being initially expected to show up in '05, then by the end of '06.

Vista will take the lead in the Windows series, which command over 90 pct of computers worldwide, delivering close to 30 pct of Microsoft's revenue.

Vista boasts increased security, enhanced search options, and translucent windows.

Jim Allchin, co-president of Microsoft Platforms & Services Division, trusts that the start-of-2007 release deadline will be met, as this final test version has only minor changes to suffer before becoming the final, release Microsoft Windows Vista:

"At the top level, (this test version is) better quality than most things we've released before."

"We took a lot of pain for moving the date before, but quality will remain the top thing. However, we feel very good about where we are at."

Gartner Inc's research vice president, Michael Silver, believes that the beginning of 2007 deadline will be extremely challenging:

"Our position has been that we believe it (Microsoft Windows Vista) will ship in wide release nine to 12 months after beta 2. We still think there are significant challenges."

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, said about Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Longhorn, that "each of these is a very important product."

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

According to Microsoft, 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.