Keep the timeframe in mind ... in the '80's I think the generalization I made
holds up pretty well. As hardware became denser, things changed.
Nowadays, those old big-iron machines are all either toys or scrap, after all.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris" <mythtech_at_mac.com>
To: "Classic Computers" <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: "Toy" computers (was Re: Micro$oft Biz'droid Lusers)
> >> > An easy way to spot a product intended for the toy market as opposed to
> >> > one intended to be seen as a computer, is that the disk drive interface
> >> > is external.
>
> >I would propose that the label "toy" might be suitable for machines that
> >have external disk controllers _and_ an external network interface
>
> Woah... my PS/2 is a 'real' computer?
>
> It has internal storage (built in DVD drive, and 2 user upgradable RAM
> slots), AND has built in network interfaces (2 USB ports on the front
> which can be used for connecting 2 PS/2's together, and a proprietary
> expansion slot on the back for the recently released network/modem
> connector for connecting your PS/2 to the internet.. which I would
> classify as built in, since it connects to the single body unit, and was
> intended pretty much for this network box, and really is more of an
> optional part).
>
> Glad to know I didn't spend $300 on a toy.
>
>
> Oh... and the GameBoy is a real computer to. It has built in storage
> (game card slot), and built in networking (head to head port).
>
> I could probably go on with more examples... I could even narrow it down
> to ones that have built in floppy drives (to fade off the non "disk"
> drive concept, although I think claiming to need a floppy drive excludes
> an awful lot of other legit storage mediums, like all those systems that
> only use tape). There is a V-Tech kids learning "computer" that comes to
> mind that used 3.5" floppies (although, it might have lacked the required
> network port, but I think it had a serial port, but probably didn't
> support a "network" protocol).
>
> -chris
>
> <http://www.mythtech.net>
>
>
Received on Wed Apr 24 2002 - 22:41:02 BST