What are the computer specs of a typical consumer? I'm trying to
figure out appropriate system requirements for development of
computer products for the typical consumer.

what kind of specs?  do you mean amount of ram, hard drive capacity,
removable media, etc?

That's exactly what I mean. The sort of information that is usually
covered as "minimum system requirements" when you buy a piece of
software.

Thank you!

Then I wouldn't say you want typical. I'd say you want lowest reasonable?

That would be Mom's PC:

Windows 98
Pentium II 266 (but you'd better figure Celeron)
6GB hard drive
CD-Rom (but no writer)
Floppy

Many people love 98 and many won't get rid of it until they absolutely
have to (if I weren't a geek, I'd still have it). But perhaps Mom
isn't in your target audience? You realize that telling us your target
audience could make a huge difference in the answer?

I wouldn't go with Windows 98 (less secure) and 6GB hard drive is just not enough.

I suggest the following:

Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Intel Celeron or AMD Athlon processor
256 MB RAM
at least 30 GB hard drive
CD-ROM
Floppy Drive
Modem
NIC driver (for high speed connectivity)

ok .. I know what you are asking here..

You need the typical specs of an 'ave.' PC, for software development,
in today's age.

My companies this year, and late last yar have been releasing games
for the PC, with quite a high minimum spec. The software companies
have obviously invested in vast survey's and research, to get an
average specification of the average computer user today.

Min Specs (as 0f 2004/10)

CPU - 1ghz
Ram - 128md (PC100)
32mb (directx compatible) 3D Graphics Card,
HD space is not usually an issue, and is totally dependant on
software's install size.
DirectX Sound Card
CD-Rom

Those abovwe are te minimum specs given to game developers of 2004.
This usually changes ever so slightly, at the beginning of each tax
year.
Recommended Specifications for software developed today can be
anything from 1.4 Ghz, 256 mb DDR, 128mb 3D Card (Directx
Compatible.), 16x + CD-Rom.

I presume you are working on some software, or a paper on average
computer specs ? or something similar.

I think this will help you, as I am a developer and I know what I have
written above is correct from may 2004 to may 2005.

For further insights, find a popular game review site, look at new
releases of 'all' genre's (and applications?) .. and look at their own
system specs. Most new ones will follow the guidelines above.

hope this helps

thanks

:>

Oh, I should ahve added ..

A recent report by Microsoft shows that over 70% of PC users, now use
Windows XP (or a form of), as their primary OS.

I would never give any spec, on any product below XP (as recommended),
but as I know, by those figures most people use it. I would however,
still put Windows98+ as minimum specs, as it is believed that over 15%
of those left, who don't use XP, do use Windows 98.

:>

Nothing to do with your question really, but avoid XP Service Pack 2
at the moment. I've seen it 'kill' too many PC's. I am a PC tech, and
where I work it's still being tested - no joy so far...