# Low-cost computers can provide a poor user experience when they have limited specifications

DevFeed: [Low-cost computers can provide a poor user experience when they have limited specifications](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/size-matters-35195.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.jessfraz.com/post/size-matters/>)

Published: 2020-05-25T15:09:26Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Jessie Frazelle](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jessie-frazelle.md>)

Topics: [User Experience](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/user-experience.md>), [Windows](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/windows.md>), [browser](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/browser.md>), [Chrome](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/chrome.md>)

Tags: [computer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/computer.md>), [cost](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cost.md>), [experience](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/experience.md>), [mac](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mac.md>), [windows](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/windows.md>)

## AI overview

This opinion article argues that inexpensive Windows computers with limited specifications, such as 4GB of RAM, can deliver very slow performance and a poor user experience. It contrasts them with higher-specification MacBook Pro hardware and briefly mentions research on moving processes between computers.

## Source excerpt

My mom has a tendency to buy these really terribly spec'd Windows machines. She's been doing it for as long as I've been alive. I was surprised when on one of our latest Zoom calls she said "You know what, I'm beginning to think that size matters." I've only been telling her this for years! Here's the problem. There are a bunch of shitty Windows machines you can buy that cost around $400 dollars and have something like 4GB RAM. For consumers, this is really compelling; the price seems right. The problem is when they start trying to use the machine to do anything, it runs at a snails pace and leaves them with the world's worst user experience. My mom continually complained about how slow her computer was and I continually said it's because it's a shit machine and you have to spend more to actually get good specs. Apple wouldn't be caught dead selling a machine with 4GB of RAM. They know better than that and care about the experience the end user has. My sister has been lucky enough to never have to buy a computer since she continually inherits my old ones. After my mom had finished saying that "size matters," my sister noted that my MacBookPro I gave her in 2012 still runs great and is fast. This is no surprise to me because at the time I bought that computer it was the top of its line and had 16GB of RAM. Today, that model goes up to 64GB of RAM but 16GB is definitely enough for my sister to run a browser and do what she needs for work (although Chrome is really pushing the limits these days). It infuriates me to no end that consumers have an option of even buying a $400 computer that will give them such a terrible experience. The price is great but the experience is terrible. Even if consumers have a daughter continually telling them that "size matters," they might still make the very innocent mistake of buying the machine and realizing later that it is a lemon. It is not their fault. Manufacturers of computers should be embarrassed for even selling such a shit mac