Longhorn Avalon's Aero vs Aero Glass

[Eug]

Can somebody explain the differences to me?

My understanding is that both require Shader 2.0 (DirectX 9) and AGP 4X, but Tier 2 Aero requires only 32 MB and Tier 1 Aero Glass requires 64 MB. Is that the only difference in hardware requirements?

Also, besides transparency, what's the diff between Aero and Aero Glass?

And I'm still confused as to what of Avalon is going to be backported to XP.

 

[imported_Phil]

I'd love to know this too

 

[imported_Phil]

I found this at Answers.com:

Aero Glass experience

This graphics mode includes support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects that delivers the richest experience possible in Longhorn. Consequently, this graphics mode requires the following:

* At least 64 MB graphics memory (128 MB is recommended)
* Support for at least 32 bits per pixel
* Support for advanced 3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9
* A graphics card that uses AGP 8X or PCI Express 16-lane bus

Although this may appear expensive by today's standards, it is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Longhorn's release in 2006-2007.

Aero experience

This graphics mode delivers the minimum hardware acceleration for the Longhorn user experience and is the minimum required for new systems.

* Windows XP Driver Model (Longhorn Display Driver Model is recommended)
* At least 32 MB graphics memory
* Support at least 32 bits per pixel
* Support 3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9
* A graphics card that uses AGP 4X or PCI Express 8-lane bus

 

[spyordie007]

Keep in mind that this is just a recommendation for running the current pre-alpha builds. That list will probably change several times between now and release.

 

[Eug]

Just to be clear, I'm most interested in the functional difference between Aero Glass and Aero, and what XP will get.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Eug
Just to be clear, I'm most interested in the functional difference between Aero Glass and Aero, and what XP will get.

I've lost the info I had now but it looks like Aero Glass "increases readability" by fading/smoothing the edges of the windows; also uses transparency (although you already know this), and I guess will be similar to WindowsFX by Stardock.

Fairly useless, I'd say, unless it has something akin to Expose.