The geek side of the web is abuzz with the news that Microsoft will be announcing the recommended system requirements for Longhorn at next week’s WinHEC conference. For those of you not in the know, Longhorn is the codename for the next version of Windows. It has been the target of constant speculation and criticism as its feature-list fluctuates and its expected release date slips. Now there’s one more thing to speculate and criticize, the above mentioned system requirements.
The main article being reference is over at Microsoft Watch, and it states…
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.
Now, I know Microsoft doesn’t intend to release Longhorn until 2006, but these specs are more than a little rediculous. I’m no good at statistics and calculations, but I can’t imagine these specifications being mainstream even for 2006. Plus, while Longhorn’s release may be in 2006, its development is going on right now. How are they testing this OS to determine these types of requirements when the requirements themselves can’t be met with today’s CPUs and video cards? This just smells like speculation gone out of control.
If it is true, just what exactly is Longhorn going to give me that merits that type of hardware? The only interesting that I’ve seen from the Longhorn hype is WinFS, and I’ve heard that Microsoft may drop that from Longhorn, saving it for Blackcomb instead. So we need some supercomputer to support a new UI that frankly leaves a lot to be desired, and to improve the AI of some crappy wizard? All I want is a good command line and a flexible shell.
In any case, I’m glad I’m making the switch this summer. More on that to come…
Postscript: The post covering this story at Slashdot has sparked a flame war of Usenet proportions. Check it out!