8 bit vs other Computers.

From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
Date: Mon Nov 25 20:05:01 2002

Tony wrote:
> One of my related interests is programmable calculators (which are
> really computers IMHO -- or at least I've love to see a sane
> definition which excludes them). I've been using an HP65 (100 program
> steps, 10 registers (variables)), an HP67 (224 progam steps, 26
> variables), and so on.

Dwight wrote:
> Oh no!
> Tony has brought 4 bit computers into the world of being
> useful.

Actually, all HP handheld calculators made before 1986 used
56-bit words, and 10-bit instructions. The HP-01 watch was similar
but used a 48-bit word.

> We are just lucky that one can't make a useful 0 bit computer.

Does an analog computer count as being a 0-bit computer, since it
doesn't have any bits? :-)

Were there any interesting 1-bit computers other than the Motorola
MC14500B Industrial Control Unit?
Received on Mon Nov 25 2002 - 20:05:01 GMT