From: Steve MacSween <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Can you define 'slow in terms of processing power' in practical terms?
Hmmm ... on reflection, this is a much better question than you might
even have realised!
For the most basic level of computing -- which I would define as word
processing, simple database/spreadsheet work, net surfing, email and
Instant Message chatting -- almost any computer has more than enough
horsepower for the job, including "ancient" 400MHz iMacs!
However, since Mac users are blessed by owing superior machines that
do not penalise us for wanting to use them, and are unencumbered by
the levels of problems, obstacles, vigilance and maintenance required
of a typical PC, the "average" Mac user's "basic" requirements now
include such things as video and audio editing, photo manipulation
and DVD burning, among many other things.
When I say that a 400MHz or slower G3 (or even G4) machine is "slow,"
I mean by the extended standards of what constitutes "basic
functionality" for a Mac user.
I was also trying to point out that Mac OS X, being UNIX based,
prizes RAM far more than it does raw processor speed. Later editions
of Mac OS X also prize powerful video cards to "offload" a lot of the
graphic "overhead."
So, when I say a 400MHz G3 or G4 mac is "slow in processing power," I
mean that the basic processor and video card lack the power to take
full advantage of OS X, and thus anything heavy-duty that would run
under that system.
OS X seems happiest on a 500MHz or better processor, with a 32MB
Radeon-class video card or better, with 512MB of RAM or better, and
ideally a fast, large 7200rpm IDE drive or better.
If you're mainly sticking to the "very basics" as I call them, you
can ignore much of what I've said (apart from the RAM -- it really
make a HUGE difference to have sufficient RAM!). However, if you're
going to be working on anything beyond the "basics" on a regular
basis, a smooth experience is only likely under OS X if your machine
meets or exceeds the standards I set out in the paragraph above this
one.
_Chas_
Claiming that the Macintosh is inferior to Windows because most
people use Windows is like saying that all other restaurants are
inferior to McDonald's.
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