It's a fascinating question . For example, your processor may be able to run at 200 MHz, and mine only 30 MHz. But today's test is to pick the whole kit and caboodle up, and carry it out of the door. Or to install a new peripheral, and use it. This week's newcomer peripherals included a phone, a video camera, and a Magellan GPS add-on.
Maps are things which really, really benefit from the use of colour.
Yes, you can manage without it. But the difference it makes to be able to follow major roads in red, major rivers in blue, and major railways in black, is startling.