Charles speaks the truth.
I agree that 512 MB is the "right" default amount of physical RAM for
most current desktop operating systems, although 256 MB will work okay
for many people.
If anything, {flame protection on} I am convinced that current
heavyweight Linux environments (Gnome, KDE) require more resources than
current versions of OS X or XP to get comparable performance due to code
that is just not as heavily tweaked for performance.{flame protection off}
Of course, it is usually easier to customize a Linux system for
performance, i.e. choose a different window manager (or none at all ;-),
trim services, etc., etc., but typically only power users do that kind of
thing -- I am referring to default installations of major desktops, and I
am specifically not referring to servers. Charles's example of a user who
doesn't manage her mailbox well is a great one -- OS X and Windows are
probably more "forgiving" of such user behavior, though the Linux
situation is improving.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] on 1/10/05 1:22 PM wrote:
>
>We have over a dozen Sales/CSR people using Fedora Core 2 as their
>desktop system. They run on P4 2.4 GHz, 256 MB RAM machines. I have one
>user that does a poor job of managing her e-mail, and Evolution takes
>up 120 MB of virtual memory. The X Window session takes another 150 MB,
>and she hasn't started OpenOffice or Mozilla yet.
>
>In my opinion, a modern Linux desktop takes about the same computing
>resources as Mac OS X or Windows XP. I wouldn't recommend anyone use
>any of the top three desktop OS's using less than 512 MB of RAM. To me,
>having 512 MB of RAM makes more of a performance difference for most
>users than how fast the processor is. I also think upgrading to a 7200
>RPM hard drive over a 5400 RPM drive makes more of a performance
>difference than CPU speed for most users, again, no matter what the OS.
>
>But those aren't the specs that sell computers.
>
>
>Charles Dostale
>System Admin - Silver Oaks Communications
>http://www.silveroaks.com/
>824 17th Street, Moline IL 61265
--
MaX-list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and...
/ Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \
/ <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \
Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html>
MaX-list info: <http://lowendmac.com/linux/max.shtml>
--> AOL users, remove "mailto:";
Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]>
To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/max-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/>
iPod Accessories for Less
at 1-800-iPOD.COM
Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal
www.1800ipod.com
