Potato Computer

What Is A Potato Computer?

A ‘Potato PC’ is a very slow computer or an old computer that is not in a position to run games. Generally, due to poor hardware, software, and specifications.  They include low-end computers that are often referred to as potato PCs.

As a couch potato, a potato computer is a PC that does the bare minimum. If you own a potato PC, it will execute the basic tasks (like starting and shutting down ha-ha). However, it won’t be able to run high-end, tall-order software and games like Fortnite and GTA.

With a ‘Potato PC’, you can play some games like Solitaire and Minesweeper. It also introduces basic computer skills to the children.

In today’s world, computers are becoming the center of any kind of activity or work. From playing games to designing kitchen appliances and even in our day-to-day life, computers have a lot to offer in terms of development and innovation.

However, there are some who are not able to use these powerful machines because they have a low-power processor or lack the memory space that is needed for certain tasks. This is where ‘Potato PC’ comes into question – an old computer that can run simple games like Solitaire and Minesweeper. The idea was first introduced by a Microsoft employee who had children at home who couldn’t sit and play on the computer every day. In their absence, they would set up a PC in their bedroom.

This article will list some specs of a potato computer. Then, it will guide you on what to do if your laptop computer is acting like a lackluster digital device. Finally, you will know what to do with a potato PC. Be sure to stick around till the end. Let’s go!

Potato Computer Specs

Here is a table that gives you some of the specs of two potato computers. If your PC shares many of the details, you should have started thinking about upgrades like yesterday:

FeatureComputer 1Computer 2
CPUIntel Pentium IIIAthlon 350MHz
CPU SPEED500MHz350 MHz
RAM512 MB256 MB
OSWindows XPWindows 2000
VIDEO CARD32 MB (Direct 3D) Compatible video card16 MB Compatible with OpenGL
FREE DISK SPACE1 GB800 MB
DEDICATED VIDEO RAM32 MB16 MB

I can bet that your computer is miles ahead. But if you’re still struggling with an under-1GB ram PC, you’re dealing with a potato PC.

Why Your Laptop Is Acting Like a Potato Computer (And How to Fix It)

Your computer doesn’t need to have potato PC specs to run slowly. There are some factors that make your device operate sluggishly. Luckily, this section will open you up to those factors and tell you what you can do to fix the situation.

Factor 1: You Have Opened Too Many Tabs or Are Running Too Many Programs

Modern-day computers are overly powerful and thus, they can execute multiple tasks at once. However, your computer has a limit and the programs are likely to clog its memory. This implies that it will operate with a low processing speed, making you feel like you’re dealing with a potato computer. You will have to wait a moment before a window becomes active.

Google Chrome and other browsers are also gas-guzzlers, sucking all your computer’s memory. When you start switching between tabs, you will not move seamlessly. The go-slow will be worse if you’re downloading a heavy file.

The other thing that comes with running programs is cached data. When some streaming apps (Spotify etc.) entertain you, they’ll be loading their data onto your device. In the long run, your beautiful Lenovo Ideapad S145 8GB RAM 1 TB ROM Intel Core i7 10th Generation will start potato-ing heavily.

The Fix: Quit Programs Which Are Not in Use

If you’re doing some copywriting on Google Docs, you don’t need to have the YouTube tab on. Close browser tabs and programs that you’re not using. This will help to reduce the PC’s memory activity, therefore giving you the much-needed speed in your task of focus.

And ditch Google Chrome for other browsers – that thing is always hungry for power and speed.

Factor 2: You Could Be Running Low On Disk Space

Your hard drive doesn’t need to be 100% full to start acting up. IT experts say that once your PC is 85% full, its productivity and efficiency go down.

So, what items take up lots of disk and memory space? Well, the most obvious ones are downloads from the Internet, not forgetting app and program updates.  

The Fix: Do Away with Needless Items

If you take a quick look at your list of programs, you will see that many are unnecessary to have. We sometimes install programs that we rarely use, so start uninstalling those.

Always empty your Recycle Bin because it carries a lot of weight. Also, clean up your main disk frequently to ensure that the computer doesn’t go into potato mode.

If you can’t delete stuff, purchase more space by getting a physical hard drive or seeking cloud services.

Upgrade your hard disk drive to a higher capacity to store more data.

Computers and laptops are becoming the new digital books, mobile phones, and gaming consoles. It’s only natural that you should upgrade the storage devices for all of this information.

A hard disk drive is the most common type of data storage device in a computer or laptop. The maximum capacity of a hard disk drive is measured in gigabytes (GB). Some modern computers have built-in solid-state drives. These are also known as SSDs and can store up to terabytes (TB) of data on just one device.

Factor 3: Many Applications Are Running During Startup

I’m sure you understand the idea of startup programs. Many software – like antiviruses and VPNs – come to life as soon as your power the computer on. Many times, they are usually checking for updates, meaning that they eat into your processing speed. And that doesn’t have to be the case all the time.

The Fix: Make Changes on Your PC’s Startup Log

For some apps, it will be easy to switch off the launch-on-startup option. For others, you may need the help of an IT expert. Go to a tech-savvy person who will not what to do to minimize the startup activity. That way, you will have more speed and your device will stop feeling like a potato computer.

Factor 4: Your PC May Be Overloaded by Updates

This factor has a relationship to the previous one but is worth repeating. Many apps and programs come with auto-updates. While they may not be harmful, the updates will often take a lot of valuable drive space. This implies that they affect how potato your machine can be. And surely, you don’t want your computer’s carbohydrate levels to be too high, or do you?

The Fix: Get a Professional Services Tools to Handle Updates

You can choose a solution for proactive monitoring and maintenance of the computer. ULTRA IT Services | CMIT Solutions offers you all-round checks and balances to keep your computer optimized. Among other services, they handle patches, updates, and off-hour software upgrades. So, you won’t have to worry about an update affecting your business and thus making your PC feel like a potato

Factor 5: Replace the RAM and other hardware parts if they are available.

When it comes to hardware, if you can replace the components with a newer and better model, go ahead. If the computer is still relatively new, you might want to think about purchasing a new one instead of getting a RAM upgrade.

If your computer has an old video card or hard drive, for example, it would just be cheaper and more efficient to buy a brand new one rather than upgrade the older parts.

Factor 6: Clean the system, uninstall unnecessary programs and larger files.

Eliminating unnecessary programs, larger files, and optimizing the system can help make your PC run more efficiently.

With AI assistance in 2021, it has become easier than ever for users to clean their PCs and other devices.

One of the best ways to clean your computer is by using a program such as CCleaner. This program can help you find out what files are taking up space on your hard drive and delete them for you. It will also remove unused programs that are no longer needed or used often.

FAQ

What Is A Potato In The Gaming World?

In the gaming world, a potato is often used as a derogatory term for someone who has been made to feel inferior or less important than other players.

The word “potato” originated from the same root as the word “foot” in Middle English. It originally meant “a foot’s worth,” referring to the weight of a foot of silver coined by Henry VIII, which was equivalent to one pound.

Potato is now commonly used as an insult for someone who is inept and cowardly.

Is My PC A Potato PC?

The term “Potato PC” is a slightly derogatory term that means a PC that is slower than your average computer. While the term “Slow PC” is typically used to refer to old computers with slow hardware and no accessories.

The idea behind both terms is that an air-cooled computer will never overheat or shut down because it lacks the ability to handle hot air. In contrast, a cold-air-cooled PC will temporarily overheat if it’s on for too long or if the CPU gets really busy.

Despite being archaic, the terms are still often used today and can be seen in tech magazines, online forums, and even on TV commercials when comparing PCs to other types of products like cars or smartphones.

Why Is It Called Potato Quality In Computing?

The term ‘potato quality’ originated from the fact that computing systems at the time of its invention didn’t have the computing power to run games like Pac-Man. So for example, a game with 3D graphics and textures would be given the label of “potato quality”.

This term is now used in a more general sense to describe anything with low-quality graphics or the performance of a computer as a whole.

Who Originated The Potato PC Term?

The term “Potato PC” originated from the book, The Ultimate History of Video Games by Steven L. Kent, where it was defined as a computer that is so outdated that it doesn’t even have a graphical user interface and is only used for games.

The term “potato PC” was introduced in the year 1978 by Steven L. Kent in his book The Ultimate History of Video Games and has been used ever since as an insult to describe computers with low-performance graphics processing units (GPU).

Some people are still unaware of the actual meaning of this term, especially those who are not familiar with computing or game consoles from the 1980s and 1990s.

Last Words: What Do You Do with a Potato PC?

Well, if you’re dealing with a potato PC, you can boil it in some water, add spices, and eat it up whenever it’s ready. But that’s a joke – it would be ridiculous if you almost take me seriously, ha-ha.

With a potato PC, you can download and play games like The Original Bioshock, Batman Arkham Asylum, Mark of the Ninja, and Mass Effect Trilogy. These are rich games with 2D graphics that will make the potato PC feel like the best computer in the market. In that line, you can also install low-demand apps that won’t clog the little memory the PC has.

The other thing is to toss the potato PC away. If you’re an impatient PC user that wants web pages to load quicker, you won’t stay with a potato for too long. So, make your way to Amazon and get a good RAM stick. This will make a little difference, but you may need to update the entire hardware and software system for optimal performance.


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