Microsoft changes its tune on Vista-capable PC's

In response to a class-action lawsuit filed last week, Microsoft has re-evaluated it's labeling of PC's as Vista-capable. According to the lawsuit, Vista-capable PC's were not able to run Microsoft Vista Premium at all. Despite there being no specific mention of which version of Vista the PC's could run, the implication that consumers were purchasing a PC that could take full advantage of Vista's "core experiences" such as Vista Aero, is there. So now, when you see a PC label Vista-capable the new fine print is as follows:

"A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista — like the new Windows Aero user experience — may require advanced or additional hardware."

Clearly a departure from the previous definition of Vista-capable as shown here:

"Through the Windows Vista Capable program, Windows XP-based PCs that are powerful enough to run Windows Vista are now available from leading PC manufacturers worldwide, including Acer Inc., Dell Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Gateway Inc., HP, Lenovo, NEC Corp., Sony Corp., Toshiba and more. The Windows Vista Capable logo is designed to assure customers that the PCs they buy today will be ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista and can run the core experiences of Windows Vista."

In other words, don't expect to get something for nothing. Don't expect a low-end PC to give you that Wow! you see in the Microsoft commercials. But then again, isn't that just common sense. I see their point, and the lawsuit has its merit, but when we live in a buyer-beware world, it still is up to the consumer to do their homework first.