Vista memory requirements?

[rosawoodsii]

I'm looking at buying a new custom computer. I'm being told that 2GB of RAM with Vista is like running XP with less than 512MB, and that I need 4GB of RAM. Can Vista possibly be that much of a hog? Please let me know what your experiences are. I know XP will lose support eventually, so I'm thinking that getting the new OS with the new computer is the best way to go, but I'm not keen on having to constantly deal with problems, either. Not that I can't do it, but I'm really trying to get away from all that.

[jholland1964]

Minimum requirements to support basic Windows Vista features
PCs that meet the following specifications will run the core Windows Vista experiences at a minimum:

• 800MHz x86 or x64 central processor
• 512MB of system memory
• DirectX 9-Capable graphics processor with 32MB of video RAM

Note the key word is minimum up there. I don't run it but from what I have read it is "ram hungry".

I know XP will lose support eventually

According to this July 18, 2007 article from Computer World:

Windows XP has been extremely successful; market research firm IDC estimates that Windows XP (Home and Pro) had a worldwide installed base of 538 million copies at the end of 2006. As long as those XP computers are functional and perform well, users find it difficult to justify the purchase of Vista or a new Vista-based PC.

Microsoft Corp.'s support policies reflect this reality. The company's standard life-cycle policy provides bug fixes and security patches (known as mainstream support) for five years after initial release, and security-patch-only support (known as extended support) for an additional five years. Although Microsoft often doesn't provide extended support for its consumer products, the company says that XP Home and XP Pro will get identical support periods.

Microsoft's support road map currently says that extended support for Windows XP ends in April 2014. You need to be on the latest service pack within one year of its release for continued support, which at this point means you must be running XP Service Pack 2.

So the earliest date that XP SP2 support will end is 2014, but history has shown that Microsoft often gives customers a reprieve as these dates draw near. For example, support for Windows 98 was to be dropped in January 2004, but Microsoft extended it by two and a half years to July 2006.

XP's life would also be extended if Microsoft were to issue an XP service pack on or after 2013. Microsoft has a tentative date for XP Service Pack 3 in the first half of 2008. If SP3 is released anywhere near on schedule and turns out to be the last service pack for XP, it won't affect XP's 2014 end-of-support date.

[rosawoodsii]

Thanks. That definitely makes me rethink the Vista issue. I really wonder now if I need it. Any great reasons to switch that you know of?

[jholland1964]

Personally, if your present computer is running fine and isn't too old, I would wait or update it with new hardware or additional ram if it will take it. But that is my feeling, others may have other opinions. But I wouldn't buy it just because XP eventually won't be supported...heck eventually Vista won't be supported.

[Gizmokid2005]

I agree with Judy, XP is the way to stay for now. Whoever told you running Vista with 2GB of RAM is like running XP with 512MB of RAM needs their head examined.

I have my laptop running Vista Business with 2GB of RAM and it flies, absolutely no extra lag in anything. I jumped up from 1GB and even then there wasn't a huge difference. If you do decide to go Vista do NOT run it with LESS than 1GB RAM.

Vista is NOT worth the upgrade yet until they get all the bugs worked out and at least the first Service Pack.

[xianwei]

I'm on Vista and have compared my friend's computer with 1GB Ram and mine of 2GB. Not much noticeable difference, but looking at the resource meter on mine, I run at a constant 50% or so RAM usage, so personally, I would go with 2GB of RAM if you're going to be multitasking much.

[francois1]

I think 1GB is enough,but 2GB is better.