Hardware isn't a problem. I run a full node on a cheap netbook with an external SSD, and I do it over McDonalds free WiFi. I've got anothe node on a Windows 10 notebook, and that is also kept up to date over free WiFi.

However much you mess about with blocksize, with an average 10 minute generation time, and a couple of confirmations to verify the transaction, you are looking at average times of 30 minutes. That isn't competitive for a modern money transfer system.