Just in case anyone cares, I did some time tests for compilation and programming using MicroCode Loader running Windows 2000 on Virtual PC on the iBook, and XP on the PC, with an 8KB hex....


My 2.8G Pentium 4:
Compile: 3 sec
Program using serial port: 4 sec
Program using usb->serial adaptor: 30 sec

Total: 7/33 sec



iBook 1.33G G4:
Compile: 12 sec
Program using usb->serial adaptor: 45 sec

Total: 57 sec

Considering that the clock speed on the iBook is less then half that of the PC, I'm satisfied with these times, and if anything maybe having such a long programming time will teach me to be a bit more disciplined in my code writing. Considering that the PC takes 30 seconds to program using the USB adapter, there doesn't appear to be much that could make the iBook faster. Not unless there's a faster USB-serial adapter out there which has full handshaking pins.... if there is I'd like to know