Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest maker of software, has unveiled hardware requirements of Windows Vista, the first new operating system (OS) from the company in about 6 years. While hardware requirements have been published, Microsoft usually underestimates performance demands of its OSs, which means that the published specs should be treated with skepticism.

According to Microsoft, Windows Vista will boot on a personal computer (PC) featuring “modern” processor that runs at 800MHz, 512MB of memory and DirectX 9-capable graphics processor. Microsoft is also working with PC manufactures to introduce Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs, which are capable of processing Aero – a new user interface and also provide such features as advanced security, reliability and management of the PC, organizing, managing and finding information, and methods for connecting with people, places and devices at home, at work or on the go, according to a statement by Microsoft.

In order to meet Windows Vista premium requirements, PCs should be equipped with 1GHz processor, 1GB of memory, 128MB memory assigned for graphics controller with some specific features, 40GB hard disk drive, DVD-ROM drive, audio output and Internet access.

Microsoft claims that Aero interface will require pixel shader 2.0-capable graphics chip that computes data with 32-bit per-pixel precision and sports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM).

Microsoft has also launched the Windows Vista “Get Ready” web-site. The web-site provides a variety of information and tools customers can use to prepare for Windows Vista. Today, this includes information on Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs, details on how customers can use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta, and background on the different editions of Windows Vista. The site will be regularly updated with more information related to the forthcoming release of Windows Vista.