On the move
On the move
Windows Vista is now available and before you head over to the nearest retailer to pick up your copy, ensure that you have a Vista-ready computer. If not, you can just buy one. It is unfair that the new release of an operating system demands so much from the hardware, but Vista isn’t just a patch on XP. It’s a whole new offering. So if you are one of those who will be changing their computers just so you can enjoy Vista, here are some options…
For home/SoHo users, these are the computers that will allow you to run Vista in its slightly limited glory! So if you are on a budget but still want to upgrade to Vista, here are some of the choices:
Toshiba Satellite P105 Series
With a 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo Intel processor, this laptop is fast enough for Vista. But even for the home user, there is more that Vista can offer. For that, you will need all of the 2GB RAM bundled on this one. The 17-inch screen also makes this the perfect computer for using Vista Home Premium and making this your media centre PC. Wi-Fi connectivity is also available and at about Rs62,000, this is not such a bad buy.
HP Pavilion Slimline s7700y series
If your new OS is going to look good, let your new desktop also look good! Sizing in at just one–third the size of other desktop PCs, the Slimline series is ideal for home use. When buying, you could also choose from either the Intel Pentium dual core or Core Duo processors. For best multimedia performance of your Vista, go for the Core Duo. Power it up with a Core Duo 1.86 GHz processor and 1GB RAM and you have a winner. It’ll run the Vista Home Premium like a charm… and for just about Rs25,000, this is a fabulous buy.
For the professional on the move, these are workhorses that ensure long battery-life, good connectivity options and more features than most people need or use:
Dell Latitude D Series
Dell’s Latitude series has for long been considered among the best for business. The D620 is a superb machine running XP Professional and it scales up brilliantly to now handle Vista Business edition. With an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 40GB hard drive, this machine is ready for Vista Premium. While some might argue that the 40GB hard disk capacity may not be enough, you can always opt for a higher one. The above mentioned configuration will cost about Rs51,000.
Lenovo T Series
Priced at about Rs1,10,000, the T Series of laptops from Lenovo are the best of the breed. More than ready for Vista Premium, these will make Vista look very good indeed. A 2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM and security features, including Biometrics makes, these the perfect companion for heavy-duty professional usage.
Gaming computers are high-end machines that will make graphics jump out of your screen making them look as real as possible. And with Vista being the first OS from Microsoft that scales to a computer’s hardware capabilities, take a look at these monster machines:
Alienware Aurora mALX
Gaming rigs need not necessarily be only for games graphics. Presentations, videos and other multimedia applications also work better than expected on these. And why not? With 1GB of graphics memory using nVidia’s SLI technology, you’ll have a hard time trying to keep up! And the 19-inch widescreen experience is just the thing to get the most out of your Vista Ultimate features. With 400GB of hard disk space, you won’t have to worry about loading up new apps and games again. But all this comes at a price… roughly Rs2,00,000 for the entry level laptop in this range.
Alienware Area 51 7500
If mobile gaming isn’t your thing and your computer is meant for family and your gaming passions, try the Area 51 7500 from Alienware. Like its laptop clone, the 7500 packs in all the hardware required to make gaming and multimedia easy. The optional Intel Core 2 Extreme processor-powered desktop can make the most graphic intensive programmes and games look super and with a 2.66 GHz processor to go with the 512MB Video RAM, you won’t have to stop for a programme to load ever again. The range starts at about Rs1,20,000.
In days to come, many more Vista capable or Vista Premium ready computers will be launched by all major manufacturers. To start, we suggest you log on to the Windows Vista Advisor (https://tinyurl.com/27pekc) and check if your computer is Vista-ready. Then take the plunge!
Write to us at businessoflife@livemint.com
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