Actually, 4 mhz is quite reasonable if the files are kept small and needs are modest, and there are minimal to no networking needs. I remember using a Commodore 64 for a few years with a 6502 running at 1 mhz., and, while it was slow with GUI installed, the access speed on the floppy was the main bottleneck. If you start adding lots of colors display and networking, then things get slow fast... and multitasking, while possible, slows things as well. How much processor power does it really take to do word processing, balance a checkbook, keep a to-do list and calendar, and check Email? Hardware is pretty tightly integrated on these little machines (8-bit computers) and the software is written to directly access that hardware wwithout all the layers present on most "modern" operating systems. I've often wished for the tools/skill/knowledge to hack my Sega Genesis CDX. Portable, Video (composite) out, dedicated stereo sound out, CD Player, and a 65816 16-bit processor (same as used in the Apple II-GS). Can handle multiple input devices, like mouse, lightpen, and various others. There is a (proprietary) modem. ROM cartridges for no-power software storage. And it runs on 4 AA batteries. No standard I/O or programming tools, though. Everything is proprietary. Too hard to find the necessary info. Still, these little game machines are true computers... and the potential is there. Dale
From Wear-Hard Mailing list Archive (WH)
Maintained by R. Paul McCarty
Archive created with babymail