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The irony is that the ARM architecture was also developed in the same way. A custom CPU, for a new machine, with an operating system specifically designed for i
by new299 6y ago
The irony is that the ARM architecture was also developed in the same way. A custom CPU, for a new machine, with an operating system specifically designed for it, and applications written specifically for that OS (the Acorn Archimedes/RiscOS).
The platform ended up failing, but they spun out ARM. If ARM end up overtaking Intel on the desktop, it gives the story some entertaining irony/symmetry.
- jonplackett 6y agoI still can't quite believe those crappy computers in my school IT lab eventually morphed into iPhones. Saying that, I did write my first ever computer program on them and ended up making iPhone apps.
- new299 6y agoWhen they were released in the 1990s they were pretty capable machines. The OS had its issues, but I don’t think it faired badly against DOS/Windows 3.11. They were however largely limited to the UK marketed, and had a more limited selection of software. I’m not sure it’s really fair to characterize them as “crappy”.
- jonplackett 6y agoI'm being mean I guess - I had a PC at home and it could do so so so much more.