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- Windows = XP Media=20 Center Edition
- Windows XP = Tablet PC=20 Edition
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Take a Windows Vista-Ready Media Center PC or Tablet PC Home for the = Holidays
By Evan Archilla
Ah, the holidays. The food, the family, the=85frustration. For = someone like me,=20 who has a hard time making up my mind in line at McDonald's, the most = wonderful=20 time of the year is fraught with potential decision-making = disasters.
I mean, is a gift card really that impersonal? Why = can't Aunt=20 Lucille sit next to Uncle Larry at the family table? Does this = look like=20 a re-gift? If questions like these start your head a-swimming, don't let = the=20 pending release of Windows Vista be the snowflake that breaks the = reindeer's=20 back.
It seems like everywhere I go, the most frequently asked question at = the top=20 of everybody's frequently asked questions list is, "Should I buy a new = computer=20 now or wait for Windows Vista?" While it hasn't gotten any easier to = find the=20 perfect gift for the relative you see once a year, when it comes to = shopping for=20 a new computer, you can have your fruitcake and eat it, too. (Okay, = maybe not=20 fruitcake...).
Put a new computer under the tree
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. In preparation for the early = 2007=20 launch of Windows Vista, many computer manufacturers are already = shipping=20 Windows Vista-ready machines. These new computers come in two = categories:=20 Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready. Either = designation=20 ensures that your computer will support at least the core Windows Vista=20 functionality.
| Windows Vista = Capable | Windows Vista = Premium=20 Ready | |
| Processor | 800 MHz | 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) =
or 64-bit=20 (x64) |
| RAM | 512 MB | 1 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 capable | DirectX 9 capable with a = Windows Vista=20 Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver, 128 MB of graphics memory, = Pixel=20 Shader 2.0, and 32 bits per pixel |
| Hard disk | 20 GB/15 GB free | 40 GB/15 GB=20 free |
Get familiar with the minimum system requirements for = Windows=20 Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready computers.
If you want to be sure that your new computer can deliver the=20
much-anticipated Windows Aero user experience, purchase a Windows Vista =
Premium=20
Ready computer or another computer that meets or exceeds the Windows =
Vista=20
Premium Ready computer requirements. You'll find a selection of =
currently=20
shipping Windows Vista-ready computers in the Windows Marketplace at
With a Windows Vista-ready computer, you'll be prepared for Windows = Vista=20 without missing out on the latest and greatest technology this = holiday=20 season has to offer. Here are a couple of ways you can deck the = high-tech halls=20 in style.
Host the ultimate holiday party with Windows XP Media Center = Edition
What a party! It may be cold outside, but it's definitely gettin' hot = in=20 here. The dance floor's full, the eggnog's empty, and someone's waiting = for you=20 beneath the mistletoe. And then, the CD ends. The music stops and with = it, the=20 party. All eyes are on you as you fumble for the next disc in the = stack.
Avoid future mood-killing embarrassment with a Media Center PC. = Windows XP=20 Media Center Edition offers everything you expect in a computer and a = home=20 entertainment system in one convenient form factor. Hook up your Media = Center PC=20 to your television and home stereo system, then use the keyboard, mouse, = or=20 special remote control to play and manage all your home media. So, = instead of=20 switching discs mid-dance move, rip your CDs to your Media Center PC, = build a=20 party playlist, and jingle bell rock on.
Prefer a night at the movies over a Night on Disco Mountain? Windows = XP Media=20 Center Edition supports progressive scan DVD playback as well as = Internet movie=20 downloads and on-demand viewing. And football fans=97don't worry about = missing the=20 big game while you're watching a movie. If your Media Center PC has a = compatible=20 TV tuner card, you can record the game and watch it later=97no service = fee=20 required.
As with any party, yours is bound to produce some memorable moments. = When the=20 party's over, upload your digital pictures to your Media Center PC. You = can edit=20 them, send them to partygoers, even put together a digital slide show to = remind=20 people at next year's party of the way they said they'd never behave = again. If=20 home movies are your thing, Windows XP Media Center Edition can organize = and=20 play back video files from your My Videos folder. Now, everyone can = watch that=20 video of cute little Billy pulling off Santa's beard.
Of course, you bought this Windows Vista-ready Media Center PC with = the=20 intention of upgrading it to Windows Vista. When you do, you'll = experience an=20 improved menu system, optimizations for widescreen and high-definition = displays,=20 and support for up to five additional televisions through your Microsoft = Xbox=20 360 console and other networked devices with Windows Media Extender = technology.=20 So what are you waiting for? Call your friends, turn on your Media = Center PC,=20 and turn it up fa-la-la-la-loud.
Holiday travel done right with a Tablet PC
Heading to grandmother's house for the holidays? Chances are, you'll = be=20 travelling a lot farther than over the river and through the woods. As = families=20 disperse, getting everyone together for a holiday celebration can be=20 difficult=97especially when doing so involves air travel. Throw in some=20 last-minute homework or job demands, and not only do you have to fight = the=20 airport security lines, but you have to do so with a portable computer. = In times=20 like this, I find the lighter and more versatile the portable computer, = the=20 better. In other words, leave the brick at home.
If you're looking for a portable computer that travels well, consider = a=20 Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. Tablet PCs include = all the=20 benefits of Windows XP Professional plus the ability to control and = input=20 information with a tablet pen. Many Microsoft and other applications = support the=20 tablet pen functionality. For example, instead of typing a letter to = Santa in=20 Microsoft Office Word, use your tablet pen to "ink" your wish list = directly on=20 the screen.
Tablet PCs are available in several forms=97from pure slate-like = models to=20 convertibles that you can use either in the traditional portable = computer manner=20 or, by rotating the screen and laying it flat, as a true writing tablet. = Either=20 option offers an effective way to remain productive after the grinch in = the=20 airplane seat in front of you throws his seat back.
Designed as the next-generation portable computer, Tablet PCs feature = built-in wireless network cards, grab-and-go docking technology for = quick=20 release from a desktop docking station, and longer-than-average battery = life.=20 Many Tablet PCs weigh less than three pounds, so they're easier to carry = around=20 the airport and back and forth to the rental car.
When you upgrade your Tablet PC to Windows Vista, you'll experience = improved=20 networking, power management, and mobile system settings. With the = Windows=20 Tablet Technology in Windows Vista, you can minimize pen "clicks" by = creating=20 your own pen gestures for common commands such as ENTER, SPACE, and = BACKSPACE.=20 In addition, you can tailor the improved handwriting recognition to your = own=20 personal handwriting style. Add support for touch screen displays, and I = think=20 you'll agree=97it really is a wonderful life with Windows Vista on a = Tablet=20 PC.
Make a resolution you know you can keep: Upgrade to Windows = Vista
When the holidays are over, start your new year off right by = upgrading your=20 Media Center PC or Tablet PC to Windows Vista. With the launch scheduled = for the=20 January 30, 2007, you'll have plenty of time to get that silly "going to = the=20 gym" business out of the way before Microsoft ships Windows Vista.
Now for the really good news. If you bought your Windows Vista-ready = Media=20 Center PC or Tablet PC after October 26, 2006, you may be eligible for a = free=20 upgrade to Windows Vista under Microsoft's technology guarantee program = (also=20 know as an Express Upgrade). Under the technology guarantee = program,=20 Media Center PCs upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium, and Tablet PCs = upgrade=20 to Windows Vista Business. If your computer did not come with an upgrade = coupon,=20 ask your retailer or computer manufacturer how you can get one.
It's also a good idea to download and run the free Windows Vista =
Upgrade=20
Advisor from
So, should you buy a new Windows Vista-ready computer this holiday = season?=20 Let's examine the pros and cons:
Pros:
- You get to enjoy the latest entertainment and mobile computing = technology=20 today.
- You get a computer with out-of-the-box support for Windows Vista.
- You get your Windows Vista upgrade for free.
Cons:
- Your friends get jealous.
So, what are you waiting for, snow? Take a virtual sleigh ride over =
to the=20
Windows Marketplace right now at
Article published December 18, = 2006.
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