Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Microsoft Windows versions come out every two to three years, generally with a big
splash of publicity. Each version comes in several editions, each with a different subset of
features at a different price and designed for a different type of user. Both 32-bit and 64-bit
editions have been available since Windows XP. The 32-bit editions can run on either 32-bit
or 64-bit systems; the 64-bit editions run only on 64-bit systems. Table 6.3 summarizes the
Windows versions and editions from the past decade and their system requirements.
TABLE 6.3
Windows versions (Windows XP and higher)
Version
Year Released
Editions Available
System Requirements
Processor: 233 MHz or
higher (300 MHz or higher
recommended)
XP
2001
Home Edition
Professional
Media Center Edition
RAM: 64 MB (128 MB
recommended)
Tablet PC Edition
×
600 or higher
Display: 800
Starter Edition (not available
in the USA)
resolution
Hard drive space: 1.5 GB
CD or DVD drive (for
installation)
Vista
2007
Home Basic
Processor: 800 MHz or
higher (1 GHz or higher
recommended)
Home Premium
Business
RAM: 512 MB (1 GB
recommended)
Enterprise
Graphics card: DirectX 9.0
capable, with 32 MB of video
RAM (128 MB video RAM
recommended)
Ultimate
Home and Business
Starter Edition (not available
in the USA)
Hard drive space: 15 GB
DVD drive (for installation)
7
2009
Home Premium
Processor: 1 GHz
Professional
RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit, 2 GB
for 64-bit
Ultimate
Graphics card: DirectX 9.0
capable
Starter Edition (not available
in the USA)
Hard drive space: 16 GB for
32-bit, 20 GB for 64-bit
DVD drive (for installation)
