The computers are fast, but you don't know it
I am amazed by the discussions below on computer performance vs. software inefficiency: I remember the same discussions and arguments about software running on 8088 vs 80286 vs 80386 vs i486 vs Pentium... and so on.You could have had those discussion at anytime since the upgraded computers and microprocessors have become compatible with the previous generation (i.e. the x86 and PC lines).The point is that software efficiency measurement has never changed: it is human patience. The developers and their bosses decide the user can wait a reasonable time for the provided service. It is one-to-five seconds for non-real-time applications, it is often about a target framerate or refresh in 3D or real-time  applications... The optimization stops when the target is met with current hardware, no matter how powerful it is.This measure drives the use of programming languages, libraries, data load... all getting heavier and heavier when more processing power gets available. And that will probably never change.Not sure about it? Just open your browser debugger on the Network tab and load the Google homepage (a field, a logo and 2 buttons). I just did: 2.2 MB, loaded in 2 seconds. It is sized for current hardware and 100 Mbps fiber, not for the actually provided service!