Well it makes sense it would be slower, unless it was put on a pci card that interfaces with a fast cpu. Why? Well usually the whole purpose behind putting code on a chip(disregarding size concerns), is to save money, by using a cheaper processor and support circuitry. The designers will try to build in just enough processing power to get the job done. So would a "parrot-on-a-chip", being driven by a 100mhz Pentium, with just a few megs of ram, be as fast as one on a 10 Ghz top-of-theline cpu, with gigs of ram available?