3.0 ghz or
equivalent processor
2.0 Core 2
Duo is equivalent in speed
256mb high
end Video Card
1gb or
more Ram Memory
80gb or
larger Hard Drive
DVD Player
/ DVD Writer Drive
Windows
Vista will be offered in a Home and Professional version. Dell Canada has
offered a free upgrade to the new Windows System for anyone purchasing a new
Dell Computer between now and March 31st.
INTEL
& AMD WARS
Intel has
decided to drop the big discounts that larger computer manufacturers were
receiving on their Intel processors. Dell in particular, as the worlds largest
PC manufacturer, has been affected resulting in price increases in their Intel
based lines.
Dell has retaliated by introducing their
first AMD processor models. Other manufacturers have supplied AMD based systems
for some time to reduce the costs on entry-level machines. This decision has
resulted in a drop in market share for Intel but presumably a better profit
margin picture.
AMD has to
its credit created some fairly competitive processors in recent years and
experienced substantial growth in the home computer sector based on its popular
Sempron, Athlon and Athlon 64 processors.
IBM –
LENOVA SALE
The IBM PC
is no more. IBM officially sold off its PC division to Lenovo, a China based
manufacturer that will produce IBM like systems in the future. IBM retains its
more profitable Server and Mainframe divisions. It is also highly involved in
consulting.
IBM has
fallen a long way since the days of the original PC back in 1981. Once the
behemoth on the block, they were overtaken by the likes of Dell, Compaq, HP and
a plethora of inexpensive clone computers.
On the
other hand Apple resisted the urge to open their architecture and has
maintained a solid niche in specialized computer markets.
MICROSOFT
WINDOWS SUPPORT
With the
introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft will drop support for all other
products with the exception of Windows XP which will be maintained and sold for
some time to come. Windows 95, 98, ME, NT and 2000 will become official orphans
about that time. Windows XP’s lifespan will extend at least another 5 years,
dependant and how quickly the world adopts Windows Vista.
As
usual, we recommend caution in jumping to a new operation system. There are
generally numerous bugs and software incompatibilities to work out in the first
year. There is something to be said for avoiding the “Bleeding Edge of
Technology”
FREE ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE
Microsoft is offering free
trial copies of their new Microsoft Office Based Accounting Software. This is
likely to bolster sagging Microsoft Office Sales. Many users, myself included,
simply think that the 2000 version is as good as 2002, 2004, 2006, etc. Not all
of us need every new feature someone can think of.