You may need to buy a new PC to run Windows Vista

New Microsoft operating system uses hardware that is not currently available

Tim Smith, Computeractive 23 Jun 2006

Users wanting to take full advantage of Windows Vista are almost certainly going to need to buy a new computer.

This is especially true if they want to use a notebook. Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows Vista Premium Logo requirement will include a new kind of hard disk technology called a hybrid hard disk.

A hybrid hard disk uses memory similar to that of a USB key. Regularly used data can be accessed from this hard disk instead of the main hard disk, thus reducing power consumption. This may also improve the performance of the computer.

A representative for Seagate told Computeractive that they are on target to have mass production of hybrid hard disks for the beginning of 2007. These will be available for computer manufacturers first but then will be available for consumers to purchase. He said that the connections on notebook hard disks have become more standardised and so upgrading may be possible for notebook owners. He did add that the new Momentus hard disks will use SATA connections. This will rule out upgrades for owners of older notebooks.

A recent report from the analysts Gartner advised businesses that even computers bought this year may not be worth upgrading to Windows Vista.

Windows Vista will still work on computers without a hybrid hard disk but they will not benefit from the promise of longer battery life, better performance and reliability. It is sometimes possible to upgrade the hard disk of a notebook but it is much harder than with desktop computers.

Microsoft said both Samsung has also announced hybrid hard disks.

The situation is very similar to that of the new 3D interface called Aero.

It is not a core feature of Windows Vista but has been pushed hard by Microsoft as a key reason to upgrade. The hardware, such as graphics cards that is used in many recent computers, especially notebooks, is not up to the required standard to run Aero.

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