In the first place, Works will require 2.5 MB of RAM and Bookshelf requires an additional 2.5 MB of RAM if they are used concurrently. My 9 MB RAM on a IIsi froze since the system file went over 3 MB after this new item was installed. This product also takes up an enormous amount of hard drive space if you select the full installation. Bookshelf and Works are very slow on my Mac IIsi and CD-ROM player. This lack of speed is a serious weakness which I have noted in other Microsoft CD products such as Enkarta - which is slow even on a Power Mac.
Data transfer from double-speed CD players is one major factor.
I look forward to the day when the searches are swift and slick. While Multimedia Bookshelf and Works may push your hardware to its limits, they offer extraordinary power to the thinker and writer, no matter what the age. How about offering two versions. The programmers would cleverly explore how to get lightning speed and slick performance out of a package requiring less RAM and less disk space. Don't hold your breath waiting.