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Multimedia PC 

Interested in comparing specifications of yesterday, today and tomorrow's PC Computers? We're making this research available from previous Build Or Buy Presentations. This will give us a path from 1994, 1997 ...July 1, 2001 and beyond for tomorrow's expectations.

In this brief time, we saw bold statements regarding MPC, WinHEC and current PC Design Guides. Although processors have increased in speed 10 fold from 1997 - Intel Pentium 133 MHz to May 30, 2001 - Athlon 1.3 GHz, everything else on a PC has changed as well. More powerful PC's allow more powerful applications. Remember when Desktop Publishing was a Big Deal? It still is! Now Desktop Musician Recording Studios are within grasp of most anyone with a PC and the desire to learn. Does a PC make one more creative? PC's have allowed new applications which allow us to be more creative in new ways. Talent still helps!

The following chart compares key requirements and recommendations of the Multimedia PC, Level 1 and Level 2 Specifications. Complete information about the MPC specifications are available from the Multimedia PC Marketing Council.

 

.
Minimum Requirements:	Multimedia PC Level 1	Multimedia PC Level 2
.	.	.
RAM:	2 MB	4 MB
Processor:	16 MHz 386SX	25 MHz 486SX
Hard Drive:	30 MB	160 MB
CD-ROM Drive:	150 KB/sec. sustained transfer  rate, maximum average seek time 1 second.	300 KB/sec. sustained transfer rate, maximum average seek time 400 milliseconds, CD-ROM XA ready, multisession capable.
Sound:	8-bit digital sound, 8 note synthesizer, MIDI playback.	16-bit digital sound, 8 note synthesizer, MIDI playback.
Video Display:	640 x 480, 16 colors	640 x 480, 65,536 colors
Ports:	MIDI I/O, joystick	MIDI I/0, joystick
.	.	.
Recommendations:	.	.
RAM:	.	8 MB
CD-ROM:	64 KB on-board buffer	64 KB on-board buffer
Sound:	.	CD-ROM XA audio ability, support for IMA adopted ADPCM algorithm.
Video:	640 x 480, 256 colors	Delivery of 1.2 megapixels/sec. given 40% of CPU bandwidth.

Please note: The above requirements were minimum system requirements and not a recommendation by the Multimedia PC Marketing Council for a particular system configuration.

Specs: MPC Comparison Chart; MPC 1 & 2. 4-20-94 GB 
Created: Thursday, April 21, 1994 2:53:12 AM 
Printer: HP DeskJet 550C Printer

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