Vista instore for early 2007

Windows Vista, the latest in Microsoft's Windows series of operating systems, will be available by January 30th, Microsoft has announced. The announcement comes days after Microsoft told the world its new operating system would be available this November.

Windows Vista will have an improved 3D interface, more search options and extra security. There will be six versions of Vista - three for businesses, two for the home and one for developing nations. The price of the software will be between $100 to $399, Microsoft announced.

The January launch means Microsoft will miss that all-too important Christmas holiday period, so to compensate the company will be selling vouchers for free or reduced price versions of Vista with new (Windows XP preinstalled) computers over the Christmas period. This is expected to persuade consumers to buy computers over the holiday season.

The minimum and recomended system specs to run Windows Vista are as follows:

Minimum System Specs: Minimum -------- Recommended
Processor ------------------ 800MHz --------- 1GHz 32 or 64 bit
System Memory ----------- 512MB ---------------- 1GB
Graphics card -------- DirectX 9 capable -- Runs Windows Aero
Graphics Memory ---------- None ---------------- 128MB
Free space on Hard Drive - 15GB ---------------- 15GB