It didn't used to be slow at first but now whenever I open bitcoin-qt it takes a long time for the wallet to open.
If you think its slow now, wait until they raise the max block size limit...
![Smiley](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)
And start collecting money to buy some more memory, waiting for it.
Not sure what you're getting at. I have a 7 year old office computer and Bitcoin-qt runs fine. Blocksize could be 10mb and I'd still be fine. Most people have computers much newer than mine.
There is always going to be a technological limit. For instance, you can't run a full node on my first computer, an MS-DOS machine (later I installed Windows 2.1) with 640k ram and a 32MB hard drive. Monochrome monitor. I am being violated and censored! The evil NWO centralied Bitcoin core dev oligarchy has decided that I am unfit to use bitcoin and I can no longer run a Full Node on my 1988 box! BOYCOTTTTTTTTTtttttttt
I think you are underestimating the average amount of computing power.
![Roll Eyes](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif)
We have a ways to go before that becomes a concern. Plus, there is a 0-trust lite client with a FULL-TIME developer working on it, crowdfunded with majority sponsorship by evoorhees. Don't get your panties all up in a bunch
![Wink](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
you'll still be able to run a trust-free, validating node on your Windows XP machine from 2007 when blocksize is larger.
(Sorry if I inadvertently insulted you by implying that you were a Windows user.
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
)