I wonder if the visualization thing capitalizes on Altivec and/or Quartz Extreme.
Perhaps this could be the reason for the crummy performance on Wintel systems.
I know my G4 450 (altivec) can handle the visualization dealie as good or better than my G3 iBook 700 (no altivec) -- and the G4 doesn't even take advantage of Quartz Extreme.
One thing you can do to make the visualization smoother is play around with the settings. You can adjust it so that it's not so choppy. of course, the pretty pictures won't be quite as pretty...
I actually rarely use the visualization anyway.
However, when I do, it sucks me in like a deadhead in front of a barbershop pole.
[This message has been edited by swise (edited 10-16-2003).]