"Levels" of Computers the Future?

RabidMoose writes "Gamespot has an article up talking about a recent interview with Microsofts's Dean Lester about the future of PC gaming (as well as Xbox 2 tidbits). Basically, they're in contact with the big hardare producers about transitioning to a system of tagging pre-made computers with "levels". He provided a hypothetical example that a PC with a "level 5" designation might have a medium processor speed, amount of RAM, and mid-range video card, while a "level 7" PC might have a faster processor, more RAM, and a higher-end video card."

Comments

Remember MPC?

[Fez]

They already tried this before... There was the "Multimedia PC" (MPC) spec that had level 1, 2, 3, etc based on whether or not your PC had a CD-ROM, sound card, graphics capable of 800x600 and so on.

This was back in the days of Windows 3.1, even.

Re:Remember MPC?

[jandrese]

Yeah, I was going to mention this. It died pretty quickly. The problem was that applications often require certain components to be faster/better (your application may be MMC1, except you needed 8MB of RAM so you were stuck with the MMC3 designation). People who had computers that would run your software (and otherwise generate a sale) were scared away because they only had a 2xCD-ROM (leaving them at the MMC2 level). I think the hardware also changed too fast for the MMC guys to keep up (especially when 3D video cards/games started appearing on the market).

Re:Alex, I'll take Level 6 for $200

[theguru]

Quit spreading FUD. MS has not said they won't patch IE for non XP users. Don't beleive everything you read on the frontpage of Slashdot. What they have said is, they will not be releasing the enhancements that XP SP2 added to IE for non XP OS's. Security patches and hotfixes for IE will continue to be produced for non XP systems.

Now, I have to get back to work on my level -3 laptop...

Re:Alex, I'll take Level 6 for $200

[jlaxson]

Have to relearn _Everything_?

Let's take a look at that:
Keyboard, mouse. A keyboard is a keyboard. If you want to use a one-button mouse, fine. If you want to use a two button mouse, that will work natively as well. Even a scroll-wheel will work out of the box, with no drivers.

Menu bars. Nope, Macs have menus, too. In fact, as I write this on IE (at work) 50% of the menus are the same ones that are there on my PowerBook at home (File, Edit, Help). Outlook has the same similarity. And Microsoft Office, I'm sure, has even bigger similarities.

Windows. Macs have these too. ('nuff said)

Quick launch and task bar. In the same spot on a Mac.

System tray. Also on a Mac, but in the menu bar instead.

Folders, files, extensions, icons. Yep, also there.

So... I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "re-learn everything about the GUI metaphor."

That's only a problem for mid-level users

[SuperKendall]

What happens to your text? That's right, the copy command basically ends up deleting your text (actually replaced with an unintended symbol) with no copy being made. Your work is gone with no backup.

If you are smart enough to use the keys, you are also able to figure out that it's "Apple-C" instead fairly quickly.

For users that are really simple, it will be very easy - because they'll just use the menu options which are under edit like they always are.

The "just works" part I would say refers more to things like the OS not surprizing you unpleasantly, or devices working without hassle (like bluetooth or wireless networking). Not so much about training for an app.

Re:Alex, I'll take Level 6 for $200

[skeletonliar]

Sorry buddy, but if you actually follow the procedure you describe the only thing that will happen is the computer will beep at you for trying to enter a command that does nothing.