• June 22, 2001 •
Microsoft Publishes "Windows XP Ready" PC Specifications
By: Arie Slob
Microsoft this week published "Windows XP Ready" PC Specifications, so that consumers wanting to buy a new system can buy one and be sure that it meets the system requirements for the new operating system, allowing them to upgrade to Windows XP the day it ships. Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., eMachines Inc., Equus Computer Systems, Gateway Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp., KDS Computers, MicronPC, Northgate Computers, Premio Computer Inc., Sony, Systemax Inc. and Toshiba are current PC manufacturers offering Windows XP Ready PCs worldwide today. The complete list of Windows XP Ready PCs worldwide can be viewed online at the Microsoft Windows XP Web site.
The Windows XP Ready PC Program ensures that the PC meets or exceeds the Windows XP system requirements and has passed Windows Hardware Quality Lab test for Windows 2000, and that PC manufacturers will provide any necessary drivers at the launch of Windows XP.
System Requirements for Windows XP
Customers can begin to prepare their current PC systems for a Windows XP upgrade by reviewing the Windows XP system requirements, which are now available for Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional.
- PC with 300MHz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family or compatible processor recommended (dual processor support in Windows XP Professional)
- 128MB of RAM or higher recommended (64MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
- 1.5 GB of available hard disk space*
- Super VGA (800x600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
- Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
* Actual requirements will vary based on system configuration and the applications and features chosen for installation. Additional available hard disk space may be required if installing over a network. Additional requirements may be needed for additional programs and peripherals. More information is available at the Microsoft Windows XP Web site.
Note: Personally I will not recommend anything less than a PC with 300MHz or higher processor clock speed, and 128MB of RAM. Since RAM is cheap these days, get some more: Windows XP will use it!