New Computer Requirements for Vista

[Guest]

I am going to purchase a new computer.(I believe that Windows XP can no
longer be purchsed on a new computer?) which contains Windows Vista as its
operating system. I presently have an anitquated Dell Desktop with Windows 98
as the operating system.
Could someone please give me some recommendations of what the minimum
requirementrs are that I should be looking for in a new comouter for
operating Vista and some accounting programs since I have retired from the
profession but want to retain a few clients. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19

 

[P. Di Stolfo]

Hello,

depending on which experience you want to see, there are several
possibilities:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

Hope this will help.

Greetings,
P. Di Stolfo

 

[ray]

I am going to purchase a new computer.(I believe that Windows XP can no
longer be purchsed on a new computer?) which contains Windows Vista as its
operating system. I presently have an anitquated Dell Desktop with Windows 98
as the operating system.
Could someone please give me some recommendations of what the minimum
requirementrs are that I should be looking for in a new comouter for
operating Vista and some accounting programs since I have retired from the
profession but want to retain a few clients. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19

FYI - DELL does indeed provide new computers with xp installed. They also
have several models with Ubuntu Linux installed.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Ray

If you really want to stick with XP, you can.

Dell Dimension PCs With Windows XP or Vista:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/winxp_dimen?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

 

[Frank]

I am going to purchase a new computer.(I believe that Windows XP can no
longer be purchsed on a new computer?) which contains Windows Vista as its
operating system. I presently have an anitquated Dell Desktop with Windows 98
as the operating system.
Could someone please give me some recommendations of what the minimum
requirementrs are that I should be looking for in a new comouter for
operating Vista and some accounting programs since I have retired from the
profession but want to retain a few clients. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19

Since you state that you currently have, "antiquated Dell Desktop with
Windows 98 as the operating system", I wouldn't bother with Windows XP
but would go directly to Vista.
I would also recommend 2 gigs of RAM and any "older" accounting programs
must have Vista drivers available or else try running them in
compatibility mode.
Frank

 

[Ludwig]

Keep in mind that unless you have use for more than just web browsing and
email it is quite expensive this Vista. For the OS and the computer.

 

[Dave]

Dell and Gateway both offer some PC models with XP.

 

[Leythos]

I am going to purchase a new computer.(I believe that Windows XP can no
longer be purchsed on a new computer?) which contains Windows Vista as its
operating system. I presently have an anitquated Dell Desktop with Windows 98
as the operating system.
Could someone please give me some recommendations of what the minimum
requirementrs are that I should be looking for in a new comouter for
operating Vista and some accounting programs since I have retired from the
profession but want to retain a few clients. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19

Ray, not knowing what you want to do, here is all I can suggest:

1) Core 2 Duo 2ghz to 3ghz (quad core is overkill, but would give you a
lot of room to grow).

2) 3GB RAM, Vista is a memory pig.

3) 512MB Video card - never consider a machine with "Shared" memory and
make sure you get a Video card that has 512MB of fast RAM.

4) 160GB SATA II drive or larger.

5) DVD0-/+RW drive

6) USB External drive to backup your important data to.

--

Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
(e-mail address removed) (remove 999 for proper email address)

 

[Ken Blake]

I am going to purchase a new computer.(I believe that Windows XP can no
longer be purchsed on a new computer?)

No, that's not correct. Some companies, Dell for example, still offerWindows
XP as an option, at least on some of their computers.

Besides, you always have the option (and it often can get you a better, but
perhaps somewat more expensive, computer) of having a computer custom-built
for you by a local shop. If you do that, you almost always specify you want
XP, or even get it with no operating system and put whichever operating
system you want on it after you get it.

I don't mean to recommend that you get it with XP (I think almost everyone
should get Vista on any new machine bought today), but I did want to point
out that you *do* have the option.

which contains Windows Vista as its
operating system. I presently have an anitquated Dell Desktop with Windows
98
as the operating system.
Could someone please give me some recommendations of what the minimum
requirementrs are that I should be looking for in a new comouter for
operating Vista

Almost ay new machine you might see for sale these days would be adequate if
you got it with enough RAM. You should have at least 1GB, and perhaps 2GB,
depending on what apps you run.

and some accounting programs

If you are talking about professional accouting software, rater than things
like Quicken or Microsoft Money, sorry I have no knowledge of those and
can't help.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Dell offers XP with their computers. You can order one from them.

 

[Guest]

First and most important question:

How much can or are you willing to spend?

Also, laptop of desktop, or doesn't matter?

There are a few things that I would get to ensure that any new programs work
smoothly.

A decent processor, 2.0 Core 2 Duo is plenty and will easily out strip your
current system.

2GB or RAM, more than that is nice, but even with Vista 2GB is enough.

A decent screen, a nice, clear screen with plenty of real-estate is great,
does little for speed by like comfortable seats in a car it just makes all
the difference.

Save money on the graphics and stay away from expensive optional graphic
cards. Basic graphics is plenty good for business computing or web-surfing.

Sound in another thing, basic speaker and sound drivers will do for basic
computing.

A good investment is a DVD+/-RW drive with DL (double layer) makes backing
up all your files and client info much easier and each DVD DL disk can hold
8.5GB of memory and cheap enough to give away or destroy.

You many want to get Vista Business, however, Home Premium is good it's only
really missing a fax program for home business, you can get those aftermarket
if you need one.

Personally, I had a Dell Inspiron 8000 notebook with Windows ME for six
years (Jan 2001 to May 2007) then I bought a HP Pavilion dv9500t notebook
with 2.2 Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, DVD+/-RW DL, 17" wide-screen, Wireless
w/Bluetooth, 160GB hard-drive and Vista Home Premium. To say it's enough for
home, small business and web-surfing is a major understatement, price: $1340
+ sales tax from Costco (you can order custom build from Costco just like
from HP expect you get a 30-day return policy from Costco).

Desktops tend to be cheaper. There are so many manufacturers out there right
now that unless you have a favorite the best thing to do is cross-shop since
deals come and go. HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, Sony, Acer, etc....

Accounting software? What are you using now? Try www.viosoftware.com , they
have some of the lowest prices and rock solid customer service.

 

[Travis King]

Here's what I recommend for Vista (The only thing is, it really depends on
what you're going to use the computer for):
1. Any dual-core CPU. If you're on a budget, go with an AMD Athlon 64 X2.
2. 1.5GB to 2GB of RAM.
3. A 256MB DirectX9 video card without shared memory
4. 160GB SATAII HD

If you're just going to use the computer for the basics, you should get:
1. Any 64-bit capable CPU
2. 1GB of RAM
3. A 128MB DirectX9 video card without shared memory
4. 120GB SATA HD

 

[Adam Albright]

People are basically dumb and or lazy. If someone is whining I want
XP, I want XP, what the hell is stopping them from buying a copy and
installing it themselves if they don't already have it?

http://www.nextag.com/windows-xp/search-html

Hell, you can still get Windows 98:

http://www.nextag.com/windows-98/search-html

or even Windows 95:

http://www.nextag.com/windows-95/search-html

And if you're willing to gamble you can still find boxed versions of
Windows 3.1 on Ebay. It's comes on floppies of course. <wink>

http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-3-1-Ope...ryZ11229QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Kosmo]

Some good replies...a few said this and it's 100% correct, (and not because I say so). this
requirement
excludes most brand names.

One thing I don't recall anyone ever saying, (not just in this thread) is
this;

Except for my first computer, I always buy and put together my own systems
from the components I want. This isn't for everyone, so I recommend IF you
know of a reputable local computer shop that has been in business for many
years,
they can custom build a system for you, and if there are any warranty issues
then it will be fixed locally.

Richard

 

[Ken Blake]

Some good replies...
a few said this and it's 100% correct, (and not because I say so). this
requirement
excludes most brand names.

I completely disagree.

It's certainly true that on-motherboard video sharing System RAM is never as
good as a separate video card with it's own memory. But that does *not* mean
that on-board video is never adequate. It's a way to save money, and not
everyone needs the potentially better performance that might come with a
separate card.

One thing I don't recall anyone ever saying, (not just in this thread) is
this;

Except for my first computer, I always buy and put together my own systems
from the components I want. This isn't for everyone, so I recommend IF you
know of a reputable local computer shop that has been in business for many
years,
they can custom build a system for you, and if there are any warranty
issues
then it will be fixed locally.

Building your own system is good option for very few people. Even though it
isn't difficult to build, troubleshooting if it doesn't work can be much
more difficult, and few people have the skills or interest to do this.

Having a local shop custom-build for you can be a very good option for the
hobbyoist who has special needs or desires, but it almost always will cost
substantially more than buying from a company like Dell. For most people,
that cheaper Dell (or similar) alternative makes considerably more sense.

 

[Kosmo]

It's a way to save money, and not

everyone needs the potentially better performance that might come with a
separate card.

Well I don't completely disagree, I suppose I answer questions thru the
glasses
of what I would do, but I realize there are a variety of different needs.
BUT even
an inexpensive video card these days are superior to using the onboard
video...IMHO

Richard

 

[Ken Blake]

Well I don't completely disagree, I suppose I answer questions thru the
glasses
of what I would do, but I realize there are a variety of different needs.

It's *always* important, when making recommendations to people, to
understand their specific needs. They are hardly ever the same as yours.

BUT even
an inexpensive video card these days are superior to using the onboard
video...IMHO

That's largely true, but as I said I wasn't questioning superiority, but
rather whether everyone needs that superiority.

Also note that if you are building yourself, or having something
custom-built, there are more choices available than if you buy from someone
like Dell (which most people do).

As a single example of what I mean, last year a neighbor asked my advice on
buying a very inexpensive computer, which he wanted for not much more than
E-Mail and web surfing. I recommended a Dell which was a little under $400
US, complete. It came with onboard video, sharing the 512MB of RAM. It's no
powerhorse, of course, but it met his needs perfectly, and he's very happy
with it.