PCWorld.com - Consumer Watch: Tips on Picking a Future-Proof PC

In this article the author Anna Kandra gives some tips on what to expect about the future release of Windows new Operating System, Vista. She goes in depth as to what to look for in hardware specs. This is extremely important in that PC's hardware will be based on the Windows XP platform. Most important is not to undercut any features if you ever expect to upgrade to the new Operating system. In addition, Kandra fully expects that new programs will be developed for the 64 bit processors that both AMD and Intel are currently promoting. Finally, she warns not to settle for on-board graphics.

Articles like this are helpful to make customers aware of what to expect in the coming years. Granted Windows Vista is still a testing stage, but already it is having a direct affect on consumers buying habits. In my opinion buying a computer with Windows XP is not going to be the worse thing in the world. The closer the time comes for Windows Vista release the more suppliers will want to make room for computers with this operating system thus making Windows XP machines expendable. Unless by some miracle Windows Vista is perfect (LOL YAH RIGHT) inevitability it will take one to two Service Packs to make Vista usable. That will take a few years, so it is not unrealistic to expect that Windows XP will be usefully up to 2010 if not beyond.

The big question is should one begin to upgrade to another computer. I would say yes!!! 64 bit processors have been around for a year so they are tested; Windows XP has its 3rd service pack on its way. In addition, Apple and Intel's announced partnership increases competition in the Windows world. Will I be an early adopter of Windows Vista? I answer that with a yes unless I turn to Apple, but that is a whole other story. Will I give up Windows XP? Heck no!, 99% of my best software runs on it. In the end read Kandra's article and be specific in what you want out of your next PC or do I say even Apple.