Canon 650-4ti owners, what computer system requirements are needed?

I would be one of the last to advise  about technology.  Funny how fast some things change.  I've been a carpenter all my adult life and when I was first around computers I figured I'd never have a need or use for one.  Twenty years later I'm now on my 4th one, if you count my 1st which was a paperweight with DOS.  Hard drive of 35 mb, a 5.25 " floppy it's only option.  I hated DOS and while attempting to do a simple wp entry of 6 typed pages I spent over 2.5 hours while simultaneously watching a football game.  If I'd had a brick handy, that monitor would have been toast.  A close friend got me started with Win 3.1 and while better the operator still had to speak it's dialog.  Later he got me using Win 95 and then 98.  When my 3rd computer died I was forced to use XP.  I panicked.  Same friend told me to switch, you'll love it. He was so right, again.  Hope you guys are right about Win 7-8 ?  Same friend has a quote I'll share with you: "technology is great, as long as you can get it to do what you want it to ...........without having to beat it into submission."

Steve you seem to have made very valid points from what  I do know.  I in no way am questioning your expertise.  You presented your points well, and I was thinking along the same lines.  I will need to google the term "paging file" to learn more about that.  Individuals with your knowledge and being willing to share it are invaluable to guys like me that are totally self taught.

My guess is that many others who are lurking in the background are learning from all who have responded to my original topic.  Appears like my gear list needs is getting longer.  Very helpful to know that before I take the plunge, Mike

I hope the green line at the top of this post disappears, I've tried to use the quote feature, and outside of it, got what I wanted.