Considering that Vista has been delayed once again, Microsoft has a lot of time to prepare the release of the new operating system. The Redmond giant's first move in that direction was to announce that starting next month users will be able to purchase PCs with the „Windows Vista Capable" sticker on them.

Their purpose is to inform them whether the equipments will be able to run the new OS.

In order to receive the Windows Vista Capable certification, the systems will have to pass the current certification requirements for Designed for Windows XP logo. Additionally, Microsoft says that they will need the following components: a modern CPU, 512MB of memory or more and a DirectX 9 class graphics processor.

The specs mentioned above are the minimum requirements for Vista, but if you want to enjoy all the visual effects, Microsoft recommends that the GPU support the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM).

In conclusion, if you are proud owner of a PC with such a sticker on it, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be able to enjoy all of Vista's advantages.

"A system that will run Windows Vista may not be capable of using all of its features," Joe Wilcox, analyst with Jupiter Research, told PC World.

In other words, a high-end system with superior graphic capabilities will be able to run even the most demanding applications, but a low-end one will have to settle with the Home Basic features, nothing more.

For consumers, Vista will be available in January 2007, and companies will receive it in November 2006.