Intel Atom 330 system speed

NeilF · 10 Aug 2009 at 13:49

I'm looking for a simple/small computer system for a friends parents. There are a number of units availablenow using the Atom 330 motherboard/processor.

Could anyone suggest how this machine would fair in general windows booting and say Microsoft Office navigation/usage? Ie: Would it be reasonably nippy/sufficient? Or run slow?

PermaBanned · 10 Aug 2009 at 14:04

It depends which version of Windows. XP it would only run a little bit slower. Vista/7 would be very slow. 2000/98 would be quite nippy. If you are planning on building a low power system then it's a better bet to go with Linux as the operating system.

WILD9 · 10 Aug 2009 at 14:08

Im running server 2008 on one which is reasonable streamlined on its default install, Ive generally been pretty surprised by it, the 330 copes admirably with day to day tasks like web browsing.

NeilF · 10 Aug 2009 at 14:43

Superewza said:
It depends which version of Windows. XP it would only run a little bit slower. Vista/7 would be very slow. 2000/98 would be quite nippy. If you are planning on building a low power system then it's a better bet to go with Linux as the operating system.

Some of the units seem to come with Vista on them?

reflux · 10 Aug 2009 at 14:44

Windows 7 should run alright, given that it was specifically designed for the netbook market at a replacement for XP.

PermaBanned · 10 Aug 2009 at 14:57

It's slow. Just a little bit faster than Vista, but still slow. And that would be the cut down version that they're only selling to OEMs, not retail.

NeilF · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:19

Superewza said:
It's slow. Just a little bit faster than Vista, but still slow. And that would be the cut down version that they're only selling to OEMs, not retail.

So basically the view is these atom machines are to slow to run a modern OS and applications such as office at a comfortable rate.

I'll recommend they get a traditional desk top system them....