Sl isnt hardware heavy anymore, a 3yr old budget laptop with intel graphics shouldnt have a problem..
Sl is a dieing horse because the whole thing needs rewriteing ground up, no content from the old world will work with the new, nor should it tbh its all shit..
Play a modern game or virtual world and look at how the graphics and physics will blow your mind away..
This will be the final nail in the sl coffin-
http://www.battleclinic.com/news/130770-Wave-Goodbye-to-US-Net-Neutrality.html
http://www.battleclinic.com/news/128982-UK-Net-Neutrality-in-danger.html
Second lifes biggest attraction, user created content is also its biggest downfall...