Things you ought to know about VISTA and Windows 7.
Glossary:
"Processor" = "CPU" or Central Processing Unit
"memory" = "RAM" or Random Access Memory; in this discussion it is
not the hard drive.
Windows XP initial minimum DDR memory requirement was 256 MB. Fortunately, I have seen only two of those. 512 MB is now minimum, but most people find that is inadequate for reasonable response time.
Q. Windows VISTA memory recomendation is 1GB (DDR2 new generation). Why is so much more RAM needed than with XP since the machines have a impressively faster processors?
A. Windows 7 2 GB DDR2 or DDR3 memory to start. Today's machines have a CPU that is a combined two (dual core) or four (Quad core) processors. All that Windows 7 really is... it is VISTA with some new features useful for enchanting the user, and has now software in order to exploit the dual core and quad core processors. Some of the user interface is the same as the new interface on today's cell phone / iphone products.
Although the CPU / software accomplishments are impressive to me, the bottom line has to do with how the machine affects your own productivity at home.
You will find that your productivity and your accomplishments will not be enhanced by any hardware improvments. That has been true for over 5 years. Faster machines mostly mean that they simply "wait faster". That means they are waiting on something to complete. Sometimes that is you delaying the processing.
VISTA helped no one improve their productivity. Of course Windows 7 is the same story.
There are "bottlenecks" inherent in the hardware of computing that slows what we are doing, much of which is using the Internet. Most of out personal wait time is waiting on Internet activity.
Are you one who does minimal Internet Activity? If yes, then maybe you have already noticed that most of your productivity is affected by your reading, typing, or searching for something. You are the main limiting factor there. Too many people using one resource (Like a remote server, or your broadband path to the Internet Backbone) is the big limiting factor for home computing and a singular user at work. The inherent delay "finding" something that is on your machine, like a file or folder, or maybe something in a database:
...Your machine is searching the Hard Drive for that "search target". The hard drive is your "permanent memory". It is so slow that the computer spends probably 90% of it's life time waiting on the hard drive to complete a read or a write. Faster computers enhance Sales pitch, but only the processor speed is what's being bragged about. Faster processors do not affect the hard drive slowness. They also do not help the single person using a PC. Faster processors only affect Big Business Servers who are accomodating hundreds or thousands of users.
If you are one of the many who have already taken your machine to a store that sells new computers, you have allready run into their sales pitch that it is probably time to buy a new computer. 91% of the time, that is a bad choice for the home user.
Since you machine is still running, you can return it to new machine reliability by replacing the Hard Drive (your permanent memory). Basic user machines, total cost with labor and migrating your Windows XP and personal data is about $130 (subject to varying prices for the parts.)
If you are wanting hardware features found on the newest machines, then you are either a techie, a game lover, or have been seduced by marketing pitches and ads.
All of us are running more programs now than when we started into the Windows XP world. Unless you bought an upscale machine with 1 GB DDR RAM (1,000 MB) of memory, then you should consider upgrading that memory. Depending what you already have, cost for that task would br around $50 to $99.
If you bought your machine before Mid 2002, There is a harware issue regarding USB Hi-Speed that probably is a concern. Otherwise, it is cheaper and wiser to bring your machine up to date on Memory and the hard drive, and you will be happier with keeping Windows XP.
There is one noted possible exception, but even that is on shakey ground. Are you a 3D Gamer? Then maybe. I would need to know more. My advice is free.
Do you have a virus / Trojan?
If yes, then the cost of handling that repair first... is a separate billed task and not related to updating the hardware.
End of Document.