Upgrading from Sony Vaio running Vista

[JapanGuy]

I'm in Japan, and I have a Sony VAIO notebook, Model VGN-AR52DB, which I bought in Japan about 5 years ago. The computer has an Intel Core 2 CPU; T5500 @ 1.66 GHz; 2046 MB RAM; 32 bit OS; Direct X 10; Phoenix NoteBIOS 4.0, Release 6.1.

I've never used the computer much, mainly because it runs Vista (Home Premium), which I don't like. The computer is still in great shape, so I was thinking of upgrading to Windows 7 (or maybe 8?).

The Microsoft website tells me that if I want to run Windows 7, I need a 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) processor; 1 GB RAM; and DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

So it looks like the computer will handle Windows 7. Right? (But I'm not sure what the "WDDM 1.0" signifies....) My main question is this: Given the above-mentioned specs, would Windows 7 (either Home Premium or Professional) run alright on my Sony VAIO VGN-AR52DB?

Also, for the new Windows 8, the minimum hardware requirements also appear to be IA-32 architecture; 1 GHz (with PAE, NX and SSE2 support) processor; 1 GB RAM; and DirectX 9 graphics device, again "with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver."

Here, I'm not sure what the "with PAE, NX and SSE2 support" means.

Question #2: Would Windows 8 also run on my machine and, if so, would it be better to wait and get Windows 8, or just go with Windows 7?

 

[JonathanV]

Hello JapanGuy, welcome to Seven Forums.

We would recommend upgrading to Windows 7 using Upgrade method since you have Windows Vista Home Premium on your laptop.
Your PC are compatible with Windows 7. If your laptop's CPU supports NX, your PC are also compatible with Windows 8.

If you want to upgrade to Windows 8 from Vista, you should use Custom (advanced) option. Which didn't preserve your data. Or upgrade to Windows 7 first, then Windows 8 using Upgrade option.

If you have Windows 7 installation disc, follow the tutorial linked below.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1818-upgrade-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[bobkn]

Looks like the CPU supports NX:

ARK | Intel® Core)

(Execute Disable Bit.) I dunno about SSE2 and PAE, but I'd bet that it's safe.

I believe to upgrade to Windows 8 from Vista, you'd have to do a custom install. Unlike Windows 7, I think that there's a mode that would preserve data (but not programs).

The difference between Vista and & are minor enough that the upgrade may not be exciting. Windows 8 has a changed interface. (Which a lot of power users seem to loathe.) The Win8 upgrade is supposed to be cheap, though ($40US, from initial availabilty on 26 October to sometime in February).

 

[gregrocker]

You can install Win8 now to see how you like it, even try a Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista - Windows 8 Forums.

To try Win8 first, download it's ISO and burn to DVD with ImgBurn, boot into a Custom install, delete all partitions, create a new one of around 100gb to install upon. This will leave room for later installing Win7 if you want, or a data partition.