Minimal system requirements

[Sander k]

What are the minimal system requirements for Microsoft Windows Vista Business OEM?

 

[Penguin]

Here you go,

• 1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• 40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
• Windows Aero-capable graphics card with atleast 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
  • Note: Atleast a DirectX 9-class graphics card that supports Pixel Shader 2.0.

 

[Sander k]

Hmm, Windows 7 is more stable and needs about the same. What should I do for my clients that run on XP? I have 35 licenses for Vista Business lying around.

 

[Penguin]

Vista is a resource hog. The minimum specs are not enough to run it smoothly.

Don't even think of upgrading your client from XP to Vista. They will feel like as if they are downgraded from a ferrari to road roller (in terms of speed).

Check if you are able to upgrade the Vista license to Windows 7 or 8.1. If so then you will be able to save some cost and if the cost difference between 7 & 8.1 is not that much high then its better to go with Win 8.1 as the main stream support of Win 7 ends by Jan 2015.

 

[Genesis]

as the main stream support of Win 7 ends by Jan 2015.

New way of Microsoft to make sure we cough up more dollars for new operating softtware. Windows XP was supported for much longer. Darn! I was thinking of changing to Windows 7 from XP when I really have to later this month, however if the end date for support is next year, may not be such a good idea after all.

 

[Penguin]

as the main stream support of Win 7 ends by Jan 2015.

New way of Microsoft to make sure we cough up more dollars for new operating softtware. Windows XP was supported for much longer. Darn! I was thinking of changing to Windows 7 from XP when I really have to later this month, however if the end date for support is next year, may not be such a good idea after all.

Actually the main stream support ends by Jan 2015 and the extended support is until Jan 2020. But at this point of time, its better to go with Win 8.1 rather than Win 7.

And if you are not using any proprietary MS applications then you should give Linux a try.

 

[Genesis]

And if you are not using any proprietary MS applications then you should give Linux a try.

I've been wanting to do that for some time now and never got that far. How does one start with Linux?

 

[Penguin]

I've been wanting to do that for some time now and never got that far. How does one start with Linux?

I recommend to start with Linux Mint. The latest version is 16 and it comes in different flavours (say GUI) namely Cinnamon, MATE, KDE, etc.

They recommend Cinnamon as default and its really good.

If you want a lightweight desktop then I suggest MATE.

Linux Mint 16 Cinnamon release post & download links - http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2489
Linux Mint 16 MATE release post & download links - http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2493

Official user guide in PDF format - http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php

Lots of tutorials written by community members - http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial
Official forum - http://forums.linuxmint.com/

 

[Genesis]

WOW! Thanks VERY MUCH for all of those links. I have ZERO excuses now for starting with Linux. :good:

 

[Penguin]

WOW! Thanks VERY MUCH for all of those links. I have ZERO excuses now for starting with Linux. :good:

My pleasure. Always happy to help.

Some more links.

http://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs (I don't know why they named it as linux4noobs rather than linux4newbies :unknown
http://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmint

http://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/top-reasons-to-start-using-linux-as-your-pc-os/
http://linuxpanda.wordpress.com/201...ime-best-top-must-have-apps-for-ubuntu-linux/

 

[GigaGreg]

I would stay with Win7 anyway, if not just switch to Linux like most of the people starting to do.

 

[Sokratesz]

I agree Windows 7 would be the way to go if you aren't familiar with Linux. If you're new to Linux and want a really clean and easy to use distribution take a look at Elementary OS.

 

[pcallstar]

IMO the best, most user friendly, and most supported version of linux is Ubuntu. runner up: openSUSE. i like it because they have a full DVD install. comes prepackaged with alot, so if internet is not 24/7, it can be helpful. Ubuntu is a pretty slim install.

 

[BetterHome]

IMO the best, most user friendly, and most supported version of linux is Ubuntu. runner up: openSUSE. i like it because they have a full DVD install. comes prepackaged with alot, so if internet is not 24/7, it can be helpful. Ubuntu is a pretty slim install.

I agree with you, Ubuntu is a good flavour of Linux and have a slim install, and looks like Windows! is a good start in the linux world

 

[huiskesmartijn]

You should definitely go for windows 7, vista is the most buggy version of windows I've ever seen lol.. It also has some serious security problems,

 

[xpsecurity]

I would not go the Ubuntu route because you are upgrading from machines from the XP era. Ubuntu is made for current machines, and would be too slow to a XP era machine. Some say Mint is good for those machines, but I have not tried Mint before.

For older machines, I would choose CentOS. It is the free downline of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and it is more older machine friendly.

One thing about Linux that I like is that there is abundant amount of how-to web sites to help you do almost anything. So even if you are not a Linux guru, you can accomplish complex configuration things. I think that this is a phenominon of being open source and free.

Another thing about Linux is that you don't have to worry about security as much, just like a Mac, because their maket share is low and hackers want to attack popular things where they can reuse their tools.

 

[kemal93]

Alternative to linux mint you can try lubuntu,xubuntu or kubuntu. and why don't you try to install your computer windows 7 starter.