Windows aero

Windows Aero is the new hardware-based graphical user interface in Windows Vista. Its name is an acronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open. Intended to be a cleaner, more powerful, more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing user interface, it also includes new transparencies, animations and eye candy. Since mid-2005, Microsoft has gradually added elements of Aero to released Windows Vista builds. Build 5270 (released in December 2005) contained an implementation of Aero which was virtually complete, according to sources at Microsoft, though minor stylistic changes were introduced between then and the operating system's release.

What is Windows AERO?

• A facelift for XP's Luna desktop
• Microsoft's code name for the Vista Shell
• Extra visual clues giving more data about an icon
• New glass, or translucent effect for Vista's menus and desktop
• More intuitive toolbars and navigation
• Sharper and faster movie action
• High resolution graphics
• Cleverer graphics engine from the Windows Presentation Foundation
• Windows AERO is a fantastic new 'Theme' for Vista

Windows Aero is an environment with an additional level of visual sophistication, one that is even more responsive and manageable, providing a further level of clarity and confidence to Windows users.

Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

Windows Aero is only available in four of the five primary Windows Vista product editions. The Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions provide Windows Aero. Home Basic will provide the Windows Basic user interface.

To make sure you get the most out of Windows Vista, use the following guidelines:

• To access Aero and other premium benefits, Microsoft recommends a system designated as Premium Ready^.
• For an improved experience of Aero and other key Windows Vista features, it recommends configuring your Premium Ready system with 1 GB dual-channel (2-DIMMS) RAM and a premium 128 MB graphics card from ATI or nVidia.
• To help further optimize your Windows Vista experience, it is better you , have a system with 2 GB dual-channel (2-DIMMS) RAM and a premium 256 MB graphics card from ATI or nVidia.