So, take a look at the Vista “premium” system requirements (meaning, what it will take to be able to run the system without getting annoyed):
1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor¹).
1 GB of system memory.
Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)², Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive³.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.
… and compare them to the data from the Steam Hardware Survey.
Indeed, it seems “most” users do not have 1 GB system memory, and several do not have a capable enough graphics card to run Vista. Of course, Steam users are gamers, and it can be assumed that they have a more capable machine than the “average” business or home user.
Regardless, it seems true that to upgrade to Vista most people are going to need to blow some cash on half-gig more ram, a new graphics card, and a bigger hard disk drive. Many will probably just buy a whole new computer.
Ignoring that worst-case scenario, lets price this out:
- Windows Vista Ultimate Edition (Upgrade): $159.00 (Providing you’re legal and can upgrade.)
- 512 MB RAM: $125.00 - (God forbid you don’t have to change both chips out because you already have two 256 MB chips.)
- Decent Graphics Card: $200.00 - (No PCI express slot? Oops.)
- New Hard Drive: $150.00 - (Onto which you’ll have to reinstall XP first again before you can even begin to run the upgrade.)
Grand total: $634.00
Huh, I guess it is true. You can save lot of pain and hardache buy getting a fully-capable MacMini for about the same price. And chances are that your monitor, keyboard, and printer will work right when you plug them in - which can’t really be said for Vista at this point.
You know, just in case you’re one of those people that prefer to hit the ground running. Just saying. 
By the way, if anyone out there actually has Vista, could you please tell me if the “About” box for Solitaire still says if it was written by Wes Cherry?
Haha you could be setting yourself up for your very own blog Mac vs. PC flame war.
Most people will be fine with Windows XP (or whatever else) for the time being. Even as I gamer I dont see myself needing Vista until DirectX 10.0 becomes a BIG THING. That said, I dont see Vista having steep system requirements as a problem, there comes a certain point when its time to buy a new PC imo. I’m also curious as to how well Vista will run on older machines with Aero and all the other nifty affects turned off. I mean, yes, other operating systems will run on much older hardware, but you arent going to get Beryl/XGL running on your old pentium II. If Vista can run on older hardware with some of its graphical tricks turned off, problem solved.
I can’t say much about the rest of the system, but the graphics aspects of Vista vs OS X is a great commentary on the benefits of evolving software systems.
OS X’s graphics layer was evolved progressively to increasingly take advantage of graphics hardware. The advantage to this approach was that the graphics system supports the same features on all systems; even those without 600$ graphics cards. The end design is also very sensible IMO. Not as wiz-bang as vistas, but I think it’s more elegant. Ars Technica 10.4 review has a great overview of the evolution of Quartz over time.
An interesting lesson in software engineering could be gleaned from Vista. I’m not sure what kinda of lesson though.
Before you waste $500 on VISTA ask yourself this, do i download music, movies or pictures for FREE? if you answered yes than i recommend that you dont get sucked into vista. it is exactly the same as XP accept it looks cooler AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO BLOCK MUSIC AND MOVIE DOWNLOADING. think about it hundreds, thousands of bands trying to make money and everybody downloads thier songs off limewire or morpheus or where ever they can. and what about multimillionare movies, most people like you and i just download them. VISTA has come to gether with an idea, to block all websites that offer FREE DOWNLOADING, to block all P2P software. the other day i decided to upgrade my morpheus and to my surprise anything that i wanted to download would be blocked, i typed in a song, tried to download it and it says, THIS IS A COPY RIGHTED VERSION. they are taking over our entertainment. in 5 years vista will be installed on every computer in the world. go to your daily harvey norman or WOW catalogue and what do you see, every single laptop, pc, now comes with vista. vista only came out like a month ago they would have to be mad to offer it already installed. maybe if you listen to the song DOWNLOAD THIS SONG by MC LARS you will understand. pass this on. tell everybody you know, about VISTA. just amagin, teenagers of the future having to pay for their music and movies.
everywhere you look there is freakin vista. we have no choice they are forcing us to upgrade, thats why all the new computers and laptops are coming out with vista, and then you have to go and buy xp because your not happy with vista. it sucks
not to mention over 60 programs dont work on it including norton anti virus and trend micro. also MSN doesn’t work but i dont use it anyway.