What are the really unusual or weird computers?

Hi, Now I start to see the cause of your confusion. Most (all?) non-IBM PC compatible MS-DOS machines load a BIOS from disc at boot time. The IBM is fairly unusual in having it all in ROM. Yes, MS-DOS needs *A* BIOS to operate, but that BIOS has to be "MS-DOS compatible" for want of a better phrase (and tailored to that particular hardware) rather than "IBM compatible". There's nothing preventing a manufacturer from writing a BIOS for their machine which has the same functions, entry points etc as IBM's BIOS if that's what they want as long as they have the appropriate permissions. That only became an issue when the PC rose to the top of the pile and "IBM compatability" became desirable; whereupon the non-compatibles faded into obscurity. I am, I've owned, used, hacked and programmed all of them.... Then look it up on the 'net and prepare to be surprised.... :-) And I think, that rather than taking the lazy option you should find a couple of on-line computer museums and see for yourself....there is *plenty* of information about this out there if you actually bother to look.