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Anyone Read This MS Recommendation?
"Following are the specifics of how Microsoft wants hardware manufacturers to help it accomplish these goals.
MEMORY
At least 128MB of system memory, plus 32MB or 64MB (recommended) of video memory.
START-UP AND POWER
The system must not display any BIOS text during start-up and must meet these start-up times:
Cold boot to desktop in 30 seconds or less.
Resume from hibernate in 20 seconds or less.
Resume from standby in 5 seconds or less.
A sleep button on the keyboard suspends the PC.
An off button on the front of the PC that hibernates the PC.
A power-off button on the back of the PC.
Laptop battery life must support playing a feature-length DVD or three hours of typical application use.
DEVICE CONNECTIVITY
The system includes at least four USB ports, with two on the front panel or keyboard for user convenience and two on the back of the PC. A built-in USB hub is recommended.
The system includes at least two, and preferably three, IEEE-1394 FireWire ports for high-speed devices. Mobile devices need only one. Three are recommended for desktops, however, with one port on the back of the system unit.
The system does not allow end-user access to expansion bus cards. This means users will no longer routinely open their PCs to add peripherals.
GRAPHICS ADAPTER AND MONITOR
Supports 3D DirectX 8.0 features.
Graphics subsystem includes a digital video interface (DVI) connector, allowing the user to add a flat-panel display with the assurance of a good upgrade experience.
Minimum 1024-by-768-pixel screen resolution; 1280 by 1024 is recommended.
Monitor is a flat-panel display.
Flat-panel display cable integrates USB and 1394 connections at the monitor for an uncluttered desktop.
Monitor integrates other components, such as speakers, cameras, array microphone, USB hub, and so forth.
NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATIONS
The system includes a 10/100 Ethernet adapter that, for desktops, must include "Wake on LAN" capabilities.
Microsoft would like DSL or cable modems to be available as options on build-to-order systems.
DISK DRIVES
High-performance hard drive, at least 40GB.
CD-RW and DVD playback devices included. A combo drive is recommended. (I prefer systems with dual drives for easy dubbing.)
ERGONOMICS
A quiet PC, never more than 37 decibels, so the machine is welcome in kitchen, bedroom, and living room.
No noise during any supported sleep state.
Ultra-small enclosure.
DIGITAL IMAGING
Many of theses guidelines, like a powered USB hub, are included in other guidelines. Here are some of the others:
Flatbed color scanner included with system.
Photo-realistic printer included with system.
USB Webcam included with system.
AUDIO
System includes two speakers and a subwoofer.
System includes a microphone or headset for voice input.
TV AND VIDEO
HDTV tuner card included.
Graphics subsystem includes TV-out capabilities. "
The preceeding was taken from a ZDNet Article about MS's recommendation for it's ideal XP machine. The part in bold is bothersome to me. I don't think I want a machine like that at all. Of course that fits in with their intention to force registration, and to force reregistration on hardware changes. Not even Apple does that. If they persist with that kind of behaviour, then I'll probably switch to linux full time. Sure I won't be able to do some of the things I can with Windows but in time I'll be able to do most of them and will have learned more about computers in the process.
MEMORY
At least 128MB of system memory, plus 32MB or 64MB (recommended) of video memory.
START-UP AND POWER
The system must not display any BIOS text during start-up and must meet these start-up times:
Cold boot to desktop in 30 seconds or less.
Resume from hibernate in 20 seconds or less.
Resume from standby in 5 seconds or less.
A sleep button on the keyboard suspends the PC.
An off button on the front of the PC that hibernates the PC.
A power-off button on the back of the PC.
Laptop battery life must support playing a feature-length DVD or three hours of typical application use.
DEVICE CONNECTIVITY
The system includes at least four USB ports, with two on the front panel or keyboard for user convenience and two on the back of the PC. A built-in USB hub is recommended.
The system includes at least two, and preferably three, IEEE-1394 FireWire ports for high-speed devices. Mobile devices need only one. Three are recommended for desktops, however, with one port on the back of the system unit.
The system does not allow end-user access to expansion bus cards. This means users will no longer routinely open their PCs to add peripherals.
GRAPHICS ADAPTER AND MONITOR
Supports 3D DirectX 8.0 features.
Graphics subsystem includes a digital video interface (DVI) connector, allowing the user to add a flat-panel display with the assurance of a good upgrade experience.
Minimum 1024-by-768-pixel screen resolution; 1280 by 1024 is recommended.
Monitor is a flat-panel display.
Flat-panel display cable integrates USB and 1394 connections at the monitor for an uncluttered desktop.
Monitor integrates other components, such as speakers, cameras, array microphone, USB hub, and so forth.
NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATIONS
The system includes a 10/100 Ethernet adapter that, for desktops, must include "Wake on LAN" capabilities.
Microsoft would like DSL or cable modems to be available as options on build-to-order systems.
DISK DRIVES
High-performance hard drive, at least 40GB.
CD-RW and DVD playback devices included. A combo drive is recommended. (I prefer systems with dual drives for easy dubbing.)
ERGONOMICS
A quiet PC, never more than 37 decibels, so the machine is welcome in kitchen, bedroom, and living room.
No noise during any supported sleep state.
Ultra-small enclosure.
DIGITAL IMAGING
Many of theses guidelines, like a powered USB hub, are included in other guidelines. Here are some of the others:
Flatbed color scanner included with system.
Photo-realistic printer included with system.
USB Webcam included with system.
AUDIO
System includes two speakers and a subwoofer.
System includes a microphone or headset for voice input.
TV AND VIDEO
HDTV tuner card included.
Graphics subsystem includes TV-out capabilities. "
The preceeding was taken from a ZDNet Article about MS's recommendation for it's ideal XP machine. The part in bold is bothersome to me. I don't think I want a machine like that at all. Of course that fits in with their intention to force registration, and to force reregistration on hardware changes. Not even Apple does that. If they persist with that kind of behaviour, then I'll probably switch to linux full time. Sure I won't be able to do some of the things I can with Windows but in time I'll be able to do most of them and will have learned more about computers in the process.
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