Information for students on the hardware requirements for upgrading or buying a notebook (laptop) computer indended for the Vista® operating system of 2007. Windows Vista® is a Microsoft proprietary operating system for Windows® PCs first sold in new computers (desktops and notebooks) around the end of January or first part of February of 2007.
These are the hardware and system recommendations for a laptop or notebook computer which will run the Vista® operating system. The recommendations are based on needs for production software such as Adobe PhotoShop, Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Illustrator and Web or graphic design... If custom built at a local computer store, cost should come in at under $2000 including warranty, extra 9-cell battery, AC adapter, car adapter, port bar, TV tuner, portable speakers, portable camera, sound system upgrade, etc. This list does not include needed software because software needs vary widely from one person to the next.
If you are inquiring about one specific piece of hardware (peripheral), go to http://www.microsoft.com/ and search for the hardware compatibility list (HCL). Also you may be able to get a piece of software called a driver which will enable your hardware to work with Vista® if you search for a driver at the manufacturer's Web site (company that made the hardware) and locate, download and install the driver on the hard drive of the computer running Vista. (You will have to know the model number and serial number, if any, for your hardware when locating a driver.)
You can also find a newsgroup related to Vista hardware or installation issues and search the newsgroup threads (Google it!) for related hardware questions.
The following recommendations do not include external speakers, headsets, microphones, nor TV tuners. Hitmill's 2007 list of recommended hardware and components for a Vista®-Ready notebook computer include the following:

• 17" WSXGA display
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0 GHz; 4 MB L2 Cache
• Memory 2 gig DDR2 667
• Hard Drive: 100 GB 5400 RPM SATA
• Optical Drive: DVDRW
• Graphics Card upgrade, if possible
• Operating System: Vista is now sold in new notebooks. Check Micosoft for "flavors" of Vista.
• Wireless LAN Intel 802.11 a/b/g
• Additional Software not counted in ceiling price of "under $2,000". Students: Get Microsoft Office and Powerpoint. If you are going to be taking any science or accounting class you may also want Access, a database program, or Excel, a spreadsheet program. Everyone will need an antivirus program, and additionally will need an anti-spyware and anti-malware program. For antispyware and antimalware I recommend AVG Antispyware at http://www.ewido.net/en/. Buy (in a box or download) the antivirus program of your own choice. You are not protected unless you update the definition files each week or more often. Do NOT open email with any attachment unless a prior email told you to expect an attachment and you know the person. If you know the person but did not get an email that said to expect the attachment, do not open the attachment unless you can scan it with antivirus program having the current updated definition files. Any attachment received should be deleted without opening the attachement unless you were notified AHEAD of time that the next email would have the attachement... If your antivirus program expires and you have not paid to renew it, you stay off the Internet and away from email until this task is done and you have updated the program definition files.
• Accessories:
(The LoJack and Luggage Cart are not part of the "under $2000 goal")
• Speakers
• Camera, if desired, but necessary for any teleconference
• Docking Station or Port Bar
• If you need more USB ports (after the docking station), invest in a powered USB hub
• Surge Protector (mandatory to protect your investment) I recommend an APC with Battery Back-Up, even if it is unyieldly and heavy to cart around on vacation, it saved my laptop during one Mid-West Summer thunderstorm. I lost the fried surge protector (replaced it for under $50) but it saved the laptop and much more money than the surge protector cost.
• AC Adapter (connect to surge protector which is turned on)
• Extra 9-cell battery (They charge by using them in the notebook computer while the AC adapter is in use)
• Car Adapter, if you drive.
• Think about having Lo-Jack for Notebook Computers installed. It can be tracked then, if stolen. Cost will be about $100.00 for three years. (Not much for recovering the loss of a $2000.00 - $4000.00 or more investment.
• TV Tuner
• Notebook bag
• Optional - Rolling Luggage Cart to carry two bags, nylon bungee cords to hold luggage onto cart.
• Warranty: At least one year for parts and 3 years for free service/labor