Windows Longhorn needs what hardware to run its best?

[Saint]

If I have P4 2GHz, 512GB DDRRAM, 64MB AGP card, 80GB HDD, will it be sufficient to cope with Longhorn in the future ?

 

[The_Professional]

If I have P4 2GHz, 512GB DDRRAM, 64MB AGP card, 80GB HDD, will it be sufficient to cope with Longhorn in the future ?

Yes, and I believe 512GB of DDRRAM should be enough

 

[Saint]

Sorry, 512MB DDR RAM, not GB !

 

[faust9]

Why even speculate about this? Right now Longhorn is still in the vaporware stage. There's no guarantee it will even see the retail shelves. Heck, its not even supposed to be released until what 06 anyway. I wouldn't worry about it until the time comes.

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

although you'll probably need an upgrade...

 

[ShawnD]

Nah you won't need an upgrade. Hardware is good for more years than people think. For example, Windows XP runs great on a 350mhz P2 with 320mb ram. I think that P2 will also be able to run Longhorn when the time comes (turn off all the BS eye candy though).

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1581842,00.asp

Microsoft is expected to recommend that the "average" Longhorn PC feature a dual-core CPU running at 4 to 6GHz; a minimum of 2 gigs of RAM; up to a terabyte of storage; a 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and an 802.11g wireless link; and a graphics processor that runs three times faster than those on the market today.

so as I was saying you'll need an serious upgrade ...

PS: good luck with your P2 Shawn

 

[The_Professional]

Whoa dual-core cpu, what a bunch of horsefeathers! I'll stick to my old Winblows or my XBox provided it doesn't give me that "Put your DVD in the tray" bug :)

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

First and foremost truth seekers, the specs aren't from microsoft. I doubt those will be the final specifications however in a year or two that might be the average computer specs for everyone. Also I highly highly doubt that lornhorn would take anywhere close to a terabyte of space, what are they going to do, send you a box of 200 dvds to install?

 

[ShawnD]

Greg, MS does have really bloated software. Take a look at how bloated stuff gets.
According to this site, Windows 3.1 was released in 1992. I had a copy of that, it was roughly 25mb on the hard drive (which was like 1/4 of my drive!). Now fast forward by 3 years to get to Windows 95. Win95 was about 300mb (I had this OS as well). Now let's do some math to see the rate of expansion there, assuming the rate is compounding (not just simple yearly). W3 is Windows 3.1, W5 is 95. The difference in time was 3 years.

$$W_5 = W_3r^3$$

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{W_5}{W_3}}$$

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{300}{25}}$$

$$r = 2.2894$$

Ok, holy ****. Between 92 and 95, the size of the software increased at a rate of 129% per year!

Now compare 95 to 98. 95 was 300mb, 98 was about 500.

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{500}{300}}$$

$$r = 1.1856$$

From 95 to 98, the rate of expansion was 18.6% yearly.

Now compare 98 to XP Home (2001). Win98 was 500mb, WinXP Home is 1973mb (1413mb Windows folder, 560mb Documents and Settings folder).

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{1973}{500}}$$

$$r = 1.5802$$

Between 98 and 2001, the yearly expansion was 58.0%.

Now to decide how to expect the changes. First of all, Win3.1 to 95 was a completely new system, big change. 95 to 98 was essentially the same system. 98 to XP was a big-ish change, just like Longhorn is expected to be. Longhorn is a totally revamped system; therefore, I think the change would be the most like the change from 98 to XP.

So now let's fill in the numbers at a rate of 58.0% yearly for 5 years (XP was 2001, Longhorn is expected 2006 was it?).

$$W_{lh} = W_{xp}r^5$$

$$W_{lh} = (1973)(1.580)^5$$

$$W_{lh} = 19427$$

Divide that by 1024 and we end up with 18.97GB. About 19GB. Any problems with my math?

 

[dduardo]

19GB seems a bit excessive, even by microsoft's standard. If it really is that big than longhorn better come with office, visual studios and much much more.

 

[ShawnD]

Excessive you say? I think not. How big was Win2k, like 900mb? I had that OS about a year ago but I can't remember how big it was. From 2000 to 2001 (XP), they've managed to add a whole bunch of useless crap (over 500mb worth). Even though my computer is a 2500+ at 3200+ speeds, it still lags pretty bad when all the eye candy crap is turned on. Turn that junk off and the system runs great. If only I could find a way to remove that extra junk.

 

[quddusaliquddus]

Greg, MS does have really bloated software. Take a look at how bloated stuff gets.
According to this site, Windows 3.1 was released in 1992. I had a copy of that, it was roughly 25mb on the hard drive (which was like 1/4 of my drive!). Now fast forward by 3 years to get to Windows 95. Win95 was about 300mb (I had this OS as well). Now let's do some math to see the rate of expansion there, assuming the rate is compounding (not just simple yearly). W3 is Windows 3.1, W5 is 95. The difference in time was 3 years.

$$W_5 = W_3r^3$$

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{W_5}{W_3}}$$

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{300}{25}}$$

$$r = 2.2894$$

Ok, holy ****. Between 92 and 95, the size of the software increased at a rate of 129% per year!

Now compare 95 to 98. 95 was 300mb, 98 was about 500.

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{500}{300}}$$

$$r = 1.1856$$

From 95 to 98, the rate of expansion was 18.6% yearly.

Now compare 98 to XP Home (2001). Win98 was 500mb, WinXP Home is 1973mb (1413mb Windows folder, 560mb Documents and Settings folder).

$$r = ^3\sqrt{\frac{1973}{500}}$$

$$r = 1.5802$$

Between 98 and 2001, the yearly expansion was 58.0%.

Now to decide how to expect the changes. First of all, Win3.1 to 95 was a completely new system, big change. 95 to 98 was essentially the same system. 98 to XP was a big-ish change, just like Longhorn is expected to be. Longhorn is a totally revamped system; therefore, I think the change would be the most like the change from 98 to XP.

So now let's fill in the numbers at a rate of 58.0% yearly for 5 years (XP was 2001, Longhorn is expected 2006 was it?).

$$W_{lh} = W_{xp}r^5$$

$$W_{lh} = (1973)(1.580)^5$$

$$W_{lh} = 19427$$

Divide that by 1024 and we end up with 18.97GB. About 19GB. Any problems with my math?

Holy c**p! I couldn't do that kinda maths if my life depended on it!