Determining and using capabilities of a computer system

A method for determining the compatibility between a software application and a computing device on which the software application is to be run, the method comprising:

• using the computing device to determine a plurality of capability indicator levels of the software application, wherein the plurality of capability indicator levels comprises a minimum capability indicator level, a recommended capability indicator level, and a best experience capability indicator level;
• using the computing device to determine a capability indicator level of the computing device at least in part by determining respective rating levels of a plurality of hardware components of the computing device and identifying a hardware component of a subset of the plurality of hardware components that has a lowest rating level, wherein the respective rating levels used in determining the capability indicator level of the computing device are determined as a function of a type of the software application, wherein the type of the software application is one of a plurality of different types of software applications, each type of software application associated with a respective rating system, and wherein the hardware components comprising the subset of the plurality of hardware components of the computer product are determined by the respective rating system that is associated with the type of the software application;
• and using the computing device to compare at least one capability indicator level of the plurality of capability indicator levels of the software application against the capability indicator level of the computing device.

A computer system for determining a capability indicator level of a computer product comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory having stored therein instructions comprising:
• receiving, in the computer system, a request from an entity for evaluation of the computer product;
• using the computer system to perform an analysis an the computer product, wherein the analysis comprises determining an inventory of a plurality of hardware components of the computer product and assigning a respective rating level to each hardware component of the plurality of hardware components of the computer product;
• and
• assigning a capability indicator level to the computer product by the computer system based an said analysis and based an a type of application to which the capability indicator level is applicable, wherein the type of application is one of a plurality of different types of applications, each type of application associated with a respective rating system that considers a respective subset of the plurality of hardware components of the computer product, wherein assigning the capability indicator level comprises identifying the hardware component having a lowest rating level of the respective subset of the plurality of hardware components considered by the respective rating system associated with the type of application to which the capability indicator level is applicable.