Win95 to increase demand for memory; analysts say many will need 16MB. (RAM)

The rollout of Windows 95 will likely be termed "memorable" in several ways.

The much ballyhooed operating system and its attendant 32-bit applications are expected to significantly increase demand for DRAM as users upgrade their systems to maintain acceptable performance. The stepped-up demand probably won't result in memory shortages, observers said, but it could keep DRAM prices high.

Estimates vary as to the amount of memory most systems will require to run Windows 95. Most analysts said 16MB of RAM is a good starting point, though the OS will run in systems with as little as 4MB.

"It'll run in 4MB, but it'll run like a snail," said one midwest …