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Bob Russell · 04-29-2005, 09:30 AM

That's a tough question to answer right now, but there are signs that you'll want a pretty beefy computer when you make the upgrade. Microsoft Watch gives us a few tibits of information...

It's currently scheduled for end of 2006 (but don't be surprised if the date slips.)
Last year some sources indicated unofficially that the average PC with Longhorn was recommended to have:
-- Dual core 4-6 GHz CPU
-- At least 2gig RAM
-- A graphics processor 3x as fast as those currently available
and more!
At WinHEC this year, a Microsoft group product manager said "most existing mainstream 32- and 64-bit CPUs from mainstream manufacturers should run Longhorn." (But that may not mean it would be a pleasant experience!)
Set in stone are requirements for at least 512Meg RAM and "support for the new Longhorn Display Driver Model (LDDM) in order to handle the operating system's new graphical features."
A Microsoft developer "did advise mobile PC makers to consider supporting 802.XX wireless; General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Bluetooth; the various Tablet PC input technologies (including speech and touch, in addition to digital ink); ClearType, the hybrid flash/disk technology; and Longhorn's forthcoming Secure Startup capability, among other features."

So bottom line, I'd say you better plan on running Longhorn on a computer you don't own right now. But that's okay because your current PC will probably be pretty out-of-date by the Longhorn is available anyway!

04-29-2005, 09:30 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Will Your PC Handle Windows Longhorn? That's a tough question to answer right now, but there are signs that you'll want a pretty beefy computer when you make the upgrade. Microsoft Watch gives us a few tibits of information... It's currently scheduled for end of 2006 (but don't be surprised if the date slips.) Last year some sources indicated unofficially that the average PC with Longhorn was recommended to have: -- Dual core 4-6 GHz CPU -- At least 2gig RAM -- A graphics processor 3x as fast as those currently available and more! At WinHEC this year, a Microsoft group product manager said "most existing mainstream 32- and 64-bit CPUs from mainstream manufacturers should run Longhorn." (But that may not mean it would be a pleasant experience!) Set in stone are requirements for at least 512Meg RAM and "support for the new Longhorn Display Driver Model (LDDM) in order to handle the operating system's new graphical features." A Microsoft developer "did advise mobile PC makers to consider supporting 802.XX wireless; General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Bluetooth; the various Tablet PC input technologies (including speech and touch, in addition to digital ink); ClearType, the hybrid flash/disk technology; and Longhorn's forthcoming Secure Startup capability, among other features." So bottom line, I'd say you better plan on running Longhorn on a computer you don't own right now. But that's okay because your current PC will probably be pretty out-of-date by the Longhorn is available anyway!