Microsoft is letting us know what we should all have to prepare for Vista — depending, of course, on whether we want to be Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready.
If by “capable” (800MHz processor, 512MB RAM) they mean the same performance XP has on its minimum requirements (which I think are about 500MHz cpu, 128MB RAM) — then “capable” should probably read “barely able to hobble along.”
So, for most folks “Premium” will be the bar to aim at — if they decide to bother.
I’ll be honest; I’ve seen some of the screenshots of Vista with the new UI, and it does look pretty darn cool. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t — I could qualify it all day, but the bottom line is, it looks great.
For myself, though, I don’t think I’ll bother. I’m 90% decided that my next computer purchase will be a MacBook.
However, I’m sure hardware vendors are having preliminary celebrations (assuming Vista is ever released, of course ;-) )… after all, the whole thing does have an air of bleak inevitiability. What are the alternatives to Vista, for most people or businesses? Apple or Linux. Business is still, and will probably remain, violently allergic to Apple as a workstation — though I imagine it will pick up a greater share of the general consumer market as people opt for a Mac instead of a Vista upgrade.
Linux? I think it could be done, but so far I have not seen anything from any of the major Linux vendors which can compete for the general desktop market. I mean, realistically — for mom and pop, and Joe down at the garage. Ubuntu’s Dapper Drake has me hopeful… if only there was a good way to include mp3 and dvd codecs “out of the box…”
