Windows Vista Laptops Checklist
Before going into details of compatibility of Windows
Vista with Laptops, I would like to touch on various
types of laptops. Laptop or the notebook is often termed
as business man’s computer. It has been noted
that the laptop computers are more useful than its elder
brother the Desktop computer. The desktop computers
are difficult to carry from place to place, where as
the laptop is easier to carry, which enable it to be
named as “Business man’s computer”.
The two words “Notebook” and “Laptop”
have different meanings, but are referred to one particular
computer. While word “Note Book” refers
to the shape of the computer, the word “Laptop”
refers to the computer that sits on our lap. These computers
resemble the shape of our daily school notebooks. Before
one sees what offering are made for users who uses laptop,
one need to know what is a laptop & how it works
etc.
What is a notebook computer?
It is a small computer, which can be carried easily
from place to place. We often also call it as “Laptop
computer”, because it can be kept on the lap conveniently.
Most users of laptop are business men. Before the emerging
of Laptops, Business men were carrying papers, files,
documents etc. pertaining to their business along with
them. But, Laptops got upper hand as they became popular
among people. People carrying laptops can prepare presentation;
make modifications to the documents, while they are
traveling. That made the laptop one of the most useful
computers among computer systems.
From Desktop to Laptop: The Laptop Saga:
If we look back, deeply into past history, the changes
in science and technology resulted in changes in computer
technology too. The 1950’s saw the development
of computers rapidly. The computers were occupying a
room’s space. Later during 1970’s, first
desktop computers were developed. This saw significant
reduction of space occupied by the modern computers
and they were called as “Desktop Computer”.
However, the desktop computers had a serious drawback.
It cannot be carried away easily from place to place.
So, research went towards developing smaller version
of desktop computer. As a result, during 1983-85 first
laptop was built. It was smaller in size, less heavy
in weight than the desktop computers. Initially it was
called as “Laptop computer”. In 1989, the
name “Notebook” was also added to it.
Working details and parts of notebooks:
The Laptops make use of two sources of power. It makes
use of rechargeable battery which built in to the system.
Incase, the battery becomes weak, one can connect the
Laptop to the AC power outlet, through the AC/DC adapter,
which comes with the laptop. Although notebook PC’s
can perform the same tasks that are performed by desktop
PC, the notebook PC’s are less powerful. They
contain parts similar to the parts in desktop PC’s.
They make use of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD’s)
for display screen. All Laptops comes with a built-in
keyboard. They also make use of touch pads for movement
of mouse pointer cursor. They can make use of external
keyboard and mouse as external input device. Some laptops
have locks. Locks enable prevention of unauthorized
access.
Types of Laptops:
There are 3 types of laptops. They are,
- Ultra portables:
These Laptops usually have got a weight of around
1.7 kg and the screen size of 12 inches diagonally.
Traveling persons from Business community are the
regular users of these laptops. The laptop which falls
into this category is very expensive.
- Medium sized Laptops:
These laptops have got screen size of 15 to 15.4 inches
diagonally and weight of around 3 to 3.5 kg.
- Desknote:
These laptops usually weights more than 3.5kg with
a screen size of between 12 and 15 inches diagonally.
These are basically replacements for standard desktops.
Windows and Laptops:
The new operating system of Windows Family, Windows
Vista, is scheduled to release during the first quarter
of 2007. Every time, whenever new operating system was
released, it created some problems for laptops as well
as desktops in its own way to the users. The basic reasons
are,
- Processor is not compatible to run the new operating
system.
- Processor is too slow to run.
- Random Access Memory (RAM), often called as Memory
is not sufficient.
- Hard disk capacity is too low, than the expected
capacities.
- Compatibility issues or problems with other external
devices.
While purchasing the laptops or desktops, one should
make sure that some of the installed components will
last for at least two new versions of operating system,
to ensure that the Laptops or desktops are in use till
then. Otherwise, upgrading will result in loss to the
users.
Past is past, now, what should one do, keeping in mind,
the near future?
As said above, one should make sure that some of the
installed components will last for at least for two
future operating system versions. One should look for
laptops, which has got upgrading capability for atleast
two new operating system versions.
How to keep ensure that my system has got upgrading
capability? This is perhaps, the most difficult
question that can be answered by any hardware engineer,
because, it is difficult to tell when the next version
of operating system will be out and also, one cannot
predict the requirement now itself. But, some laptops
are built such a way that, it can be upgraded easily,
without require changing the outer case of the laptop.
What are the minimum system requirements to
run Windows Vista? One can run Windows Vista
smoothly if they met the minimum system requirements.
The minimum system requirement for running the core
features of Windows Vista are,
- Processor - 800 MHz 32-bit (x86)
- System Memory (RAM) - 512 MB
- GPU - SVGA (800x600)
- Graphics Memory - -
- HDD - 20 GB.
- HDD Free Space - 15 GB.
- Optical Drive - CD-ROM
- Audio - -
- Internet - -
However, one will need to have higher Hard disk capacity
of minimum 40 GB to install other programs apart from
Windows Vista. If one wants to run aero features that
come with Windows Vista, then they should have a Graphics
card which supports Direct X 9.0. Windows Vista will
be running comparatively slow in above said minimum
requirement, because processor speed is low. One must
have high processor speed of minimum 2.0 GHz to make
windows vista run smoothly without any delays. The RAM
also requires being high as 1 GB, if one expects to
run high profile games applications and take up any
other software developmental activities.
The problems that might occur while running Windows
Vista in Laptops:
Generally, upgrading the laptop is rather difficult
from both technical and economical point of views. Because,
there are no standards defined for its construction,
it is difficult to understand how the proprietary manufacturers
built the laptop initially.
Additionally, the following problems may prevent the
laptop from installing and running Windows Vista. The
laptop may become obsolete, depending on the situation.
- Processor upgrading requires the mother board that
supports the processor. The mother board may not fit
into the laptop.
- The Higher GB HDD’s physically may not fit
into the bay provided in the laptop.
- The LCD screen built into the laptop, may not work
at all for Windows Vista.
- The LCD display and some other built in components
may not have proper drivers, in Windows Vista.
Remember, in the above said situations, the laptop
is obsolete for Windows Vista and above, not for the
other lower Windows versions.
Is there any other way to make Vista work,
in case, the LCD screen not working for Windows Vista?
No, But, if one gets Vista supported drivers for LCD
screen, one may be able to work, but, the picture clarity
comparatively be less. One should try contacting the
manufacturers of Laptop to get these drivers for Windows
Vista.
Upgrading issues apart from Motherboard, LCD
Screens:
The RAM may be upgraded if the mother board contains
proper slots to do so. The Hard disk can be upgraded,
if it fits into its bay, and supported by the motherboard
and the processor. The CPU can be directly upgraded,
if the existing mother board supports it. The Graphics
Card is also upgradeable, if the previous card is mounted
on the separate slot provided in the motherboard. Some
graphics cards cannot fit into the motherboard slots.
Such motherboards require replacement. Many laptops
include a slot know as MiniPCI but, the slot is not
in much use. The cards inserted into it will not get
recognized due to BIOS failure to recognize it. The
introduction of USB Ports may reduce this problem, but,
external USB device may hamper the mobility of Laptop
considerably.
Software wise, the existing laptop may cause problems
when applying some extra new features, such as “Aero”.
The screen may turn blank and or the computer may stop
responding or even can display illegal operation message.
The 3D window feature of Windows Vista aero will work
only if there is good graphics card inserted along with
the latest LCD screen. One can get the 3D window, little
disturbed, if the LCD screen is too old. In such cases
the Laptop need to be replaced instead of replacing
the card.
One has to take into economic factors too while upgrading
the existing laptop. One can purchase a new laptop,
if they are to change the motherboard, processor, hard
disk. The upgrade will cost them more or less same,
when compared to purchasing new laptop. The costs of
the new laptops have come down, due to the heavy competition
in the laptop market, when compared to early days.
On conclusion, I would like to say that, do not hurry
in buying the laptop now. For new laptop buyers, there
will be a series of Windows Vista compatible laptops
such as Laptops with “Vista Ready” logo
will be made available in the market, after the final
release of the operating system. Till then, one needs
to wait for the best.
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