Re: My First Computer (was Computing Editorial)

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net> wrote:
>> What does a computer need to be a great learning tool?

Simon Williams wrote:
> An Apple II with a 1.2 GHz processor!!!

A *little* faster CPU is nice. Too fast, and you add cost for no
perceptible benefit. The speed works against you for cost, power,
reliability, and ease of expansion or repair.

Most old computers were designed very cleverly and efficiently *because*
the hardware was slow and limited. Sometimes, restrictions force you to
think, and you come up with better solutions!

When you think about it, if you had an Apple II that with a 1.2 GHz CPU,
it would probably have almost no effect on the time you spent on the
computer. Your I/O devices would be just as slow; you'd want your games
to play at the same speed, and you couldn't type or read any faster when
doing text editing etc.

> A built-in version of BASIC that supports decent graphics and audio...

As mentioned in a previous post, I think you'd want the new features to
be extensible. With today's flash EPROMs, it is now easy to modify a
ROM, and save the updated version in the hardware so it's there
immediately.

> ProDOS that can make use of high capacity hard drives...

Certainly, one would want a new computer to be able to use new hardware
devices.

> Built in A/V output maybe...

Maybe, but that is a whole different world! Video especially requires
vast amounts of computer "horsepower".
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen