Datasheet

Technique 1: Experiencing the Windows Experience Index
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1.
Choose Start, right-click Computer, and then
choose Properties.
Vista shows you the View Basic Information about
Your Computer dialog box (refer to Figure 1-3).
2.
Click the link marked Windows Experience
Index, which appears to the right of your sys-
tem rating score.
The Performance Information and Tools dialog
box appears, as in Figures 1-1 and 1-4.
If there’s any reason to doubt the validity of the
Windows Experience Index shown on the screen,
click the Update My Score link to have Vista re-
calculate all five component scores.
3.
Under the component column, click the link
that says View and Print Details.
You see the More Details about My Computer
dialog box, shown in Figure 1-5.
Don’t bother clicking the link to View
Software for My Base Score Online. If you do,
Microsoft takes you to Windows Marketplace
(see Figure 1-6), a giant Microsoft advertising
site designed primarily to separate you and
the advertisers from feeelthy lucre. Don’t be
fooled: Software and hardware companies pay
Big Bucks to advertise on Microsoft’s site.
• Figure 1-6: Windows Marketplace, a Microsoft owned-
and-operated advertising site. Avoid it.
I use this PC as my main production computer.
The fast graphics component score translates
into very snappy screen responsiveness — an
important timesaving consideration for people
like me who work with multiple windows
open and frequently switch among them.
In spite of the low processor score, the components
of this PC are very well matched for the kind of work
that I (and most folks chained to an office desk) per-
form every day. It would be a waste of time and
money to upgrade any of the major components
individually.
Digging Deeper
Vista can show you a few more details about the
WEI ratings. To see the More Details about My
Computer dialog box shown in Figure 1-5, follow
these steps:
• Figure 1-5: Details for the PC in Figure 1-4.
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