[_02]

Depends on what you have and what you are moving to.

Generally, I would reinstall the OS just to be sure (and anyways, a reinstall is good for you every now and then). However I have upgraded components like the motherboard chipset, CPU and RAM without NEEDING to reinstall the OS.

Still, I'd backup my data and plan on reinstalling fresh.

 

[_02]

If it is a critical piece of equipment, obviously make sure you have the capacity to reinstall it before you upgrade - that or the ability to fall back to your old system in the event that the upgrade does break things.

 

[_02]

I recommended a netbook to my father that has a low spec requirement for automotive software (plugged into the car computers). He got a wireless adapter and it works like a charm and is small enough to carry around, doesn't need a lot of hard drive space, cpu power or anything like that.

I think he paid $300.

Either way, you can get a machine to meet those specs for very cheap pre built.

 

[_02]

Don't let us stop you if you WANT to build it!