CNet reports that Microsoft is looking to make some serious changes in the way the Windows System Performance Rating evaluates computers.
Device manufacturers are complaining that the ratings make systems look worse than they actually are, because it defaults to the lowest possible rating. That means that if everything in your system rates a 5 (out of 5), but the awful integrated graphics chip rates a 1, the whole system gets a 1, which is a striking enough number to hurt sales of that PC.
This is the first time Microsoft got into serious system-wide benchmarking, and it is understandable they might screw up. Microsoft’s ratings don’t make sense, because there is no one-size-fits-all system, just as there is no perfect set of hardware. Instead of an across the board number, which might be easier for less experienced users, Microsoft should link benchmarks to the version of Vista involved.
For example, Home Basic users would need a 1.5 GHz Celeron, 512 MB of RAM, integrated graphics and 40GB of hard drive space to get a 4 rating, but they would also know that their system would rate a 1 for Home Premium. Home Premium users would need a 3 GHz system, 1.5 GB of RAM, a real graphics card and 200 GB of hard drive space and a TV tuner to get a 5, but would still only rate a 3 for Ultimate. Business users would need more power than Home Basic, but not as much hard drive space or graphics as Home Premium. And Ultimate users would need the top-of-the-market hardware to get a 5, obviously.
This way, systems could be honest about their shortcomings, while leveraging the different versions of Windows to show how cheaper PCs can still be worth every penny. Sure, that crappy entry-level PC isn’t great, but it could be marketed as perfect for basic home needs. By linking the ratings to needs of operating systems, you can market many different types of PCs, and make consumers more aware of the benefits of the more expensive versions of Windows.
(via Microsoft Monitor > Findory)
Add to Del.icio.us | DiggThis | Yahoo! My Web | Furl
Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.
Visit the InsideGoogle blog.
