Now that is an interesting refinement. Limiting to 1800 VA, most likely
eliminates almost anything vacuum tube based.
My 1974 PDP-8/E computer alone (not counting external storage devices)
was rated at 115V @ 10A. I don't know what the power factor of it is
but that is 1150 Watts. Does that count? Technically I don't need any
peripherals to program it or get the program results. I just use the
front panel.
Does that 1800VA include any necessary peripherals such as terminals,
CRT's, disk drives, tape drives, etc?
See, even that definition is really non-specific and open to interpretation.
Should we add a limitation on volume occupied as well? This would
eliminate many rack or multiple rack computers.
What about memory type? Before semiconductor RAM and CORE there was
serial, drum, tape and mechanical memory systems
Does it have to be a digital computer. There we many table top analog
computers in the 50's and 60's. Even Heathkit made some.
Does the output need to be text (What about an analog computer with a
digital nixie tube display)???
Everyone has their own definition of what a Personal Computer is to
them. It's all subjective.
How much computing power and electricity are we using trying to identify
something whose mere definition is so subject to interpretation?
On 5/25/2024 4:57 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
On 5/25/24 13:41, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
On Sat, 25 May 2024, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
. . . or 100V or 220V in locations where those are the standard for
household residential wiring.
Woulld not want to automatically exclude UK machines, such as the
Sinclair doorstop wedge.
Okay, I'll refine it for the international crowd. Anything that
requires over 1800 VA to run isn't a "personal computer" That's about 8
amps for the 220 volt world.
--Chuck
