New PC. New OS. What more do you need?

Users who buy a Microsoft Windows Vista-ready PC should be committed to memory

Are you planning your next PC purchase to coincide with the upcoming launch of Microsoft's newest operating system? A lot of people are gearing up to get rid of their old computers — and the wait is almost over.

Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ is slated for release in early 2007. Crucial can help you save money on your PC and OS investment by providing a memory upgrade that's likely to be less expensive than buying the optimal amount of memory pre-installed.

Windows Vista will offer more digital capability than any of its predecessors, and for that reason alone, your new PC is going to need a lot more memory than your old one did. Vista's full feature set, which includes enhancements in the desktop search, online security functions, speech recognition and more, is all about multimedia, multi-tasking, and improved productivity. To meet the needs of every user, Microsoft will release both a bare-boned version of the OS called Vista Home Basic as well as a full-blown version called Vista Home Premium. (There are also several business-oriented versions.) The major difference between the two home options is in the graphics performance and the user experience, as Vista Home Premium will enable Microsoft's new Windows Aero technology, which adds Mac-like visual elements to the interface.

This new OS is redefining the way you use flash memory, too. Vista's new SuperFetch feature is a technology that can manage your most frequently used applications by preloading them into memory and speeding up their start-up times. It reads dates, too, adjusting to the programs you use on weekdays as opposed to weekends.

What's more, the OS allows you to boost memory and performance (without opening the box) by way of ReadyBoost technology, which utilizes USB flash drives and other types of portable memory. Vista is compatible with USB 2.0 drives, Secure Digital cards and Compact Flash cards. Traditionally, flash memory options are slower than RAM, but ReadyBoost makes them a faster option because (unlike the hard drive) they are not multitasking. And if you use a USB drive with encryption software you also prevent any unauthorized access to your data. You can also remove your memory device at any time, without data loss or damage to the flash drive.

It's no surprise that more multimedia and graphics capability means heftier hardware requirements. Minimum memory requirements for the basic version of Vista, according to Microsoft, is 512MB of RAM — an amount not adequate for the new Aero interface, which is one of the most widely anticipated features of the new OS. That's why whose those planning on getting the premium version will need a minimum of 1GB, according to Microsoft.

But minimum means just that: enough memory to get the system off the ground.

For optimal performance, The Memory Experts(SM) in the Crucial Performance Lab recommend more. So far, they've only been able to perform preliminary tests on the beta versions, but they predict that 1GB will come up short, and 2GB is a better option. It's not unlike the tests we ran on Microsoft Windows XP after it was launched; our tests showed the Microsoft recommendation for minimum memory fell short of what worked best. And once Microsoft officially launches Windows Vista, our experts will be running benchmark tests and publishing results as they come available — so plan on checking back after it's released.

Our best advice? Consider an after-market memory upgrade. While many high-end PCs can come loaded with RAM, the more popular value-oriented desktops still come standard with 256MB of RAM, which isn't even enough to do a good job running Microsoft Windows XP. Even 512MB won't handle XP and demanding multimedia software or 3-D game titles. Sure, you can buy upgrades from the manufacturer when you order your PC, but chances are it will cost less in the long run to ship the PC with the smallest amount of memory available, and then do the upgrade yourself.

Upgrading your computer memory is easier than many people think. At Crucial, we can help you find the right memory quickly and without hassle. Our memory is the same stuff installed by major manufacturers, it's guaranteed compatible, and it carries a lifetime warranty. If you'd like to have your memory upgrade ready to roll when you get your PC, just check our online Crucial Memory Advisor Tool™ and select your new system's manufacturer and model. Or, you can call one of our Memory Experts toll-free or log into our Expert Online tool for real-time chat. If you'd rather wait until your PC is in hand, use our innovative Crucial System Scanner, which scans your new system's hardware and delivers, in a handy report, all of your memory options.

Either way, an after-market memory upgrade can help Windows Vista achieve peak performance — and you can rest assured that upgrade is compatible, reliable, and backed for the long haul.