[Ham-Computers] RE: Is 300MHz a Hard Limit or is 266MHz possible?

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Though there are some, very few programs actually check the CPU speed when you install/run them.  The limits are put there by the app vendor as a recommended minimum for an "adequate" user experience.  Basically, if the CPU is too slow, or there's not enough RAM, or not enough drive space, etc, the program may be so slow that the user won't be able to use it and will be unhappy.  This typically leads to a P.O.'d user who will swear never to by that company's product again.

One time, for the fun (or torture) of it, I remember installing Win9x on something ridiculously small (386SX-20 w/4MB?).  IIRC, the installation took a few hours and it took quite a while to boot to a desktop (about 20 minutes).  Would anyone be happy waiting 20 minutes to boot to a desktop?  Don't think so.  Thus the minimum requirements.

One more thing to consider is whether or not the system can keep up with the externally connected devices.  The cellphone and GPS shouldn't be too much of a problem.  The wireless NIC throughput might get a bit constricted.

So, go ahead and try those apps on your 266MHz laptop - you've got nothing to lose.  At worst, it won't work - at best, it will work.  Most likely, it'll be a bit on the slow side.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 7:19 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Is 300MHz a Hard Limit or is 266MHz possible?

I have several apps and several old laptops.

I have been told that 300MHz is a "hard" minimum for the
CPU speed for all of them and would like to confirm that,
or not, here please?

APPS:

1.  Connecting my Motorola e815 cellphone to USB so my P266
laptop can access the Internet.

2.  Using my Earthmate USB GPS on my P266 laptop.

3.  Using a wireless nic on my P266 laptop (USB or PCMCIA)

I understand that there is a Linux app to connect an e815
cellphone to a PC but have not seen it run nor do I know
if the Linux app has a minimum CPU speed requirement.

-- 

Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E
Personal: http://bibleseven.com/kd4e.html
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