Recently, GameSpot sat down with Windows Graphics and Gaming general manager Dean Lester to discuss the current status of Longhorn, Microsoft's next PC operating system, which is due in 2006. Lester reaffirmed Microsoft's dedication to making Longhorn's game functionality as accessible as that of a modern console. However, he said the company wants to retain the strengths of the PC platform, which includes high-end graphics and sound hardware, online communities, post-release community support, and content updates, like modifications and maps.
Microsoft is already working with major hardware manufacturers, such as Nvidia, ATI, and Intel (along with OEM manufacturers), to create prepackaged PCs with varying levels of midrange to high-end hardware with appropriately varying price points. Under such a plan, prepackaged PCs with certain processor speeds, certain amounts of RAM, and certain types of video cards would be given simple classifications or "levels."
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