24 Apr
2002
24 Apr
'02
4:34 a.m.
Computers of the '80's had mass storage. Video
toys did not. That's why I
refer to things that didn't/couldn't have internal mass storage interfaces as
toys and allow that things that did/could have them as computers. Later on,
that was no longer a valid basis for classifying them, since it simply became
cheaper to put the mass storage interface inside the box. In the '80's, toy
vendors wanted you to buy small, at an inflated price, and then buy small
again, also at an inflated price. Computer makers had to compete with one
another, while game/toy vendors didn't have to compete with computer makers.
Plenty of people couldn't afford what you consider a computer
and had their first experience with computers using what you deem as
'toys'. I doubt that early user's of the Atari, Commodore, TRS-80 or
Sinclair machines would appreciate that label though. Nor did
everyone have either the ability or desire to write major portions of
the OS to get into the S-100 bus boxes, even if they could afford
them.
Jeff
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