Yes, I know many people like this. They just cruise the Internet from time to time, use email and fire up the word processor. I don't personally know anyone in this category that plays games though. They do seem to buy things like a current virus scanner or other things that are strictly necessary. But as you say Grimber - they don't know any better so why would they be interested in any do dads they don't need or are not savvy enough to even know exists? Like games?

I would postulate that a person into computers enough to enjoy playing 3D accelerated games would not fall into this category that often. Unless it's junior trying to run the latest games on his parent's outdated system. For example, I bought my parents a computer years ago that they are still happy with. I don't think they have ever seen a 3D accelerated game and they barely understand what I do for a living. Yet they do start up solitaire from time to time though and it's enough for them. If they really wanted to play any more games I imagine they would find all they need in the form of web based games and the like.

Also, I would think that if you looked at the entire PC market, and said something like most of them are running Intel video chips and 500 mhz, you would have to take in account the business sector. Business and government own far more PCs then any home users I would imagine. And they are rarely used for games of course. I know of a few business operations that still use a 486 as a fax server or in a voice mail system, etc, or use ancient Unix and mainframe systems for database storage.

So I still wonder.. do people with outdated systems buy many games?