Manufacturers often specify both a minimum and recommended level of hardware resources. System performance at the minimum specified hardware configuration is usually poor and only sufficient to support the OS and no other functionality. The recommended configuration is usually the better option and is more likely to support standard additional applications and resources.
To take advantage of all of the features provided by an operating system, additional hardware resources such as sound cards, NICs, modems, microphones, and speakers are generally required. Many of the OS developers test various hardware devices and certify that they are compatible with the operating system. Always confirm that the hardware has been certified to work with the operating system before purchasing and installing it.