Windows 8 to have similar system requirements to Windows 7

The step up in required hardware from XP to Vista was significant and the system requirements between Vista and 7 didn't really change much, in fact it is often noted that it is easier to run 7 than Vista so if anything the requirements rolled back a touch.

Microsoft has been looking to continue the trend set by Windows 7 and it is targeting similar system requirements that would make Windows 8 as easy to run as Windows 7, if not even easier. It also means that Windows 8 will have similar hardware requirements to Vista which was released 6 years before (if Windows 8 is released next year, otherwise 7 if it is 2013).

Microsoft Corporate Vice-President Tami Reller said that "In both of our Windows 8 previews, we talked about continuing on with the important trend that we started with Windows 7, keeping system requirements either flat or reducing them over time." So it seems that Windows is looking to improve its compatibility with lower performance and lower power systems by making it much easier to run.