About Google Earth

Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that not all computers can run.

• Apple Macintosh computers are not supported at this time (but we are working on it).
• Windows-based desktop PCs older than 4 years old may not be able to run it.
• Windows-based notebook PCs older than 2 years old may not be able to run it. 

Systems requirements for Google Earth

Minimum configuration:

• Operating system: Windows 2000, Windows XP
• CPU speed: Intel® Pentium® PIII 500 MHz
• System memory (RAM): 128MB
• 200MB hard-disk space
• 3D graphics card: 3D-capable video card with 16MB VRAM
• 1024x768, 32-bit true color screen
• Network speed: 128 kbps ("Broadband/Cable Internet")
  

Recommended configuration:

• Operating system: Windows XP
• CPU speed: Intel® Pentium® P4 2.4GHz+ or AMD 2400xp+
• System memory (RAM): 512MB
• 2GB hard-disk space
• 3D graphics card: 3D-capable video card with 32MB VRAM or greater
• 1280x1024, 32-bit true color screen Network speed: 128 kbps ("Broadband/Cable Internet")

Additional Info

When people experience problems running Google Earth, what kind of 3D graphics capabilities your machine has is usually the source.

The Google Earth application will work on most graphics cards from the following manufacturers:

• NVIDIA
• ATI*
• 3D Labs
• Intel**
• Matrox
• S3

* The following ATI cards are not supported: ATI Rage Mobility, ATI Xpert, ATI 3D Rage.

** Intel 3D graphics machines can use the default OpenGL version, but work better in DirectX (choose Start > Programs > Google Earth > Start Google Earth in DirectX).

Matrox card users must use the OpenGL version. S3 cards must use the DirectX version.

The following steps can help you find out what type of graphics card you have. Note: the instructions that follow apply to the Windows XP operating system, but are similar for other versions of Windows.

1. Open the Control Panel window by selecting it from the Start menu. Double-click on the System icon in this window to display the System Properties dialog. Click on the Device Manager button in the Hardware panel.
2. In the Device Manager window, double-click the Display Adaptors icon to list the graphics card(s) for your computer.

The make and model of your graphics card appears under the Display Adaptor tab.