Sounds like everything I worked with back in the ‘70’s weren’t computers.
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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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I worked with Cray systems - they couldn't write boot images, either. Nor could the hypercube system I worked with. Not computers?
No way I would replace a laptop with an iPad now that I have a MBP 2021! It's a beast!!! LOL.
HahahaAs if the chip change would have impacted that decision…
The screen, the ports, the keyboard. lol.
I m not sure if you are catching my playful and partly sarcastic tone, but generaly partly I am serious too.
For me - a ‘real’ computer, is basically a self built PC on a x86/64 platform with various OS selection that can be put on. You know. The thing that has traditionally been called a computer since the dawn of time. a personal computer, that happens to pretty much be able to do - whatever you throw at it - from being a server - computer - diagnostic tool - tv - media conpsumtion device - gaming device - office tool…. and so on.
A ‘real computer’ is a digital device thats capable of doing everything one might want from it - thats from the digital realm.
And a regular self built PC with a various OS selection meets theese criteria completely.
So, in a way, everything that doesnt meet theese criteria is not ‘a real computer’, even thou bannaly a simple calculator is in fact a COMPUTER, since it computes. But thats not what we are talking about here.
I think, to conclude, for the purpose of this discussion, a ‘real computer’ is any device that is not LIMITING you in whatever you want to do from the digital realm.
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Poor definition, basically excludes anything prior to the PC and almost anything unlike a PC. I've been a professional h/w & s/w engineer since '71 and wouldn't buy that definition in the least.
key part here is ‘for the purpose of this discussion’
since, we are really discussing iPads as computers, meaning, as personal computers offcourse. So, I see some people here, like you, would like to talk more theoretically and philosophically about what is a computer, and less practically. I am not so much interested in that. In practical terms, I am quite happy with my definition, in fact - I think its the most perfect definition of what a real computer is - for the purpose of the essence of this thread, and the essence of the question that started this thread, and the idea that started it. Asking is it a real computer, is in fact asking - can it do everything my PC can do, or will it limit me in some way.
And, practicaly, this is what most people care about.
Also - your examples and your systems that were wery advanced computers back in the day - would probbably not really meet criteria of being a real computer today - since they would severaly limit you in enjoying the digital reallm. Also, they are specific devices for specific purposes, and, agan, thats not what this topic is really about.
I’ll just give you another example for fun sake. The very advanced supercomputer of the S400 Russian Anti Mistle System is obviously a computer, actually an incrediabley advanced one, best in the world. BUT - for the purpose of this specific discussion, it, in fact - does not meet the criteria of ‘real comptuer’ as in ‘a digital device that would not limit my digital needs in any way’. Since, you can actually do nothing on it - other than shoot down rockets, specific use for whitch it was made for.
whats your issue with back in the day? Do you feel old ? I dont get it. You said youve been doing it since the 70’s, meaning youve been doing it for 50 years, and you are probbably in your 70’s now. It was - quite a bit - back in the day. Whats a joke about it? Things advance, it doesnt mean anything bad about yourself, nor your probbable amazement with thoose machines. Things just evovle, its natural, and ok…
That's just your definition, not one commonly used or accepted. You live in the PC world. And I've built "computers" for missiles & spacecraft and they were computers.
I'm still working in the field with advanced systems.
Well, congratulations for that, it must have been quite a feat to do it. I’m happy to hear that, and definatley a respectable thing for a man to do.
I can see how you didnt like the definition that excluded your field of work. Obviously, those are computers, but , not for our use case here
I can see how you didnt like the definition that excluded your field of work. Obviously, those are computers, but , not for our use case here
Just like the iPad these other computers cannot to the task you set as your prime example earlier of what a computer should be able to do.
Now you’re moving the goalpost to “real computers”- guess these other ones are unreal then.
Everybody just use what you want!! I tried an iPad (Pro) as a laptop replacement for a while and it just wasn't cutting it for me. Some things I prefer on MacOS and some on iPadOS. I keep my iPad around when I want those things, but I couldn't replace a laptop completely and I'm not trying to anymore.
And anything that has a CPU computes, so therefore it is a computer! End of story, lol.
And anything that has a CPU computes, so therefore it is a computer! End of story, lol.
you know, a big part of being able to discuss topics is also ‘not being literal’ and ‘putting effort to understand wht the person you are taling to is talking about’
hey.. how come you are a dem-god, what does that mean? Its a cool titleEverybody just use what you want!! I tried an iPad (Pro) as a laptop replacement for a while and it just wasn't cutting it for me. Some things I prefer on MacOS and some on iPadOS. I keep my iPad around when I want those things, but I couldn't replace a laptop completely and I'm not trying to anymore.
And anything that has a CPU computes, so therefore it is a computer! End of story, lol.
Been on this site for quite a while. So under your account name, if you choose to, you can pay yearly for a membership (gets rid of ads as well) and have a different user status.hey.. how come you are a dem-god, what does that mean? Its a cool title
Been on this site for quite a while. So under your account name, if you choose to, you can pay yearly for a membership (gets rid of ads as well) and have a different user status.
Gosh you made it way to easy to de-mystify yourself there.
Hahaha in between sessions at work, couldn't go along for more posts if I wanted to.Gosh you made it way to easy to de-mystify yourself there.