[Michael Hill]

You also must look at Microsoft's outlook on how long it will take before the next release of Windows. They're making the spec requirements so high because they're making the OS for the next generation of computers. If you remember, it took 6 years for Vista to come out after the introduction of XP. Computer technology jumps by leaps and bounds in 6 years. Odds are that you will buy a new computer within that timeframe, and it will be capable of Vista. In fact, if the current computers that are being sold right now can handle Vista, how much farther will computers be 6 years later? Also, 512 MB of RAM is nothing these days. I look at Firefox, right now, it's taking 120 MB of resources as I speak. I bought my laptop 3 years ago, and have upgraded the RAM from 512 MB to 1.5 GB. RAM is relatively cheap. As far as I see it, it's the best and cheapest upgrade you can make to your computer that will make a noticeable difference.