Computer specs to run Vista WELL

You previously stated you were getting a laptop, but now mentioned buying a desktop graphics card. (Note: They are not the same thing.) Laptop graphics cards are rarely upgradeable/replaceable. Thus, you need to see what options the manufacturer offers before you buy the laptop and order the laptop with the desired option.

John

oh im sorry

i didnt realize they were different

but i found one that is (i think) for notebooks:PNY Verto GeForce 8500GT 512MB Video Card

if i took it into an IT shop would they be able to replace it if i supplied the card?

also i was looking at some specifications.. my current desktop pc runs XPMCE and has 8mb of video card memory and it processes games and video very quickley so can vista really be 8 times worse at less than the minimum?

also the fact that i will be running basic not premium will greatly reduce the need for mb's of video memory because basic doesnt include aero (however there is a possible way to get it on there) and gaming will be able to use almost all of that if no other large applications are running

more proof that what i have may be enough

Recommended System Requirements:

* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor - 1.6x this
* 512 MB of system memory - i have 8x this
* 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space - 16x this
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory - 2x this
* DVD-ROM drive - have it
* Audio Output - have it
* Internet access (fees may apply) - have n-mini card tech - 1.5x this

1.) Aero willNOT work, under any edition, unless you have 128MB+ of memory dedicated to the graphics card. And it is NOT included in Windows Vista Home Basic; you may not legally add/enable it. Thus, you will NOT be able to enable Aero, period.

2.) Most laptop graphics "cards" are actually chips welded onto the motherboards and cannot be replaced/upgraded. Thus, if you buy a laptop with XXXX graphics "card," you will have that "card"for as long as you have the laptop.

Bottom Line: You can buy a laptop with 64MB video memory if you want, buy you will have to suffer with the inability to run Aero and various applications/games until you buy a new laptop.

John

well i understand that but from what many other FAQs and recommendations 64 mg is double what is recommended and i fail to see why you think so badly of it? would you care you enlighten me? is that the computer you have or do you have one that is better and it is still not very fast, because i dont understand why you are insistent

32MB is the minimum for Windows Vista Home Basic, which lacks Aero. If you want the computer to ever support Aero, you must have at least 128MB, as Microsoft states in the system requirements. Can you run Windows Vista with 32MB of graphical memory? Certainly. You can also browse the internet, type documents, and play video games that are older and/or run in a low-quality mode. But you will not be able to enable Aero or play most recent, graphically-intensive games, both things you implied you wanted to do. Your choice.

John

alright i was looking up some info on replacing vid cards and everwhere i look says it is possible on all notebooks

If you want to believe all laptop video cards can be upgraded, fine, but a quick Google search proves that is not true. Fact is, only a small portion of laptops have upgradable video cards, and stand-alone cards are even more difficult to find. Do they exist? Certainly. But they're few and far between, and cost a premium. But like I said, you do not have to take my word for it; just buy a new laptop with a 64MB integrated graphics chip and wonder why the upgrade procedure involves buying yet another a new laptop.

John

sorry for getting frustrated... is there a possibility that the graphics card is not attached permanently?