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By “general-purpose computer” I mean something that is programmable/configurable down to a low level. If I have a Linux or macOS laptop it would be pretty hard

By “general-purpose computer” I mean something that is programmable/configurable down to a low level. If I have a Linux or macOS laptop it would be pretty hard for the manufacturer to stop me from installing an up-to-date browser; worst-case I can compile Firefox from source. I bet it would work even on a 20-year-old computer. The iPad, while a great machine, can’t really be considered “general-purpose” since I can’t compile and run arbitrary code on it. For most iPad users this is a feature: it makes the thing much safer to use.

akkartik 5y ago
I see, so you mean rooted or unlocked?
- titanomachy 5y ago
  I suppose. If I buy a new Macbook I can immediately compile and run whatever software I like on it. I don't usually think of it as "rooted": in my mind, root access is the norm when you buy a general-purpose computer.
  - akkartik 5y ago
    This was kinda what I was trying to suss out. I've gradually started thinking of Macbooks as "not general-purpose." For example, I can no longer get gdb working on them. At least it's imposed enough barriers that I haven't been incentivized to spend a lot of effort getting over. Going back to your original comment above, a general purpose computer definitely helps. But as the chromebook side of things shows, it's not sufficient.
    - quanticle 5y ago
      I don't think Chromebooks are general-purpose devices either. You certainly can't install arbitrary code on them. A Chromebook is closer to an iPad-with-a-keyboard than it is to a general-purpose laptop running Linux (or even Windows).
      - akkartik 5y ago
        I don't particularly like Chromebooks, but this doesn't seem like a fair characterization. You can put Chromebooks in Developer Mode without needing anyone's permission. You can install Linux on them. You can run Linux programs on them. (Though I don't know for sure that you can run gdb on them.)
santoshalper 5y ago
I would put an iPad or smartphone somewhere between a general purpose computer and a fixed-function device. I think that has actually been the core of their success. They have the features of general purpose devices that most people care about without the hassle of having to maintain a device (which I enjoy, but my parents certainly do not)

akkartik 5y ago

I see, so you mean rooted or unlocked?

titanomachy 5y ago
I suppose. If I buy a new Macbook I can immediately compile and run whatever software I like on it. I don't usually think of it as "rooted": in my mind, root access is the norm when you buy a general-purpose computer.
- akkartik 5y ago
  This was kinda what I was trying to suss out. I've gradually started thinking of Macbooks as "not general-purpose." For example, I can no longer get gdb working on them. At least it's imposed enough barriers that I haven't been incentivized to spend a lot of effort getting over. Going back to your original comment above, a general purpose computer definitely helps. But as the chromebook side of things shows, it's not sufficient.
  - quanticle 5y ago
    I don't think Chromebooks are general-purpose devices either. You certainly can't install arbitrary code on them. A Chromebook is closer to an iPad-with-a-keyboard than it is to a general-purpose laptop running Linux (or even Windows).
    - akkartik 5y ago
      I don't particularly like Chromebooks, but this doesn't seem like a fair characterization. You can put Chromebooks in Developer Mode without needing anyone's permission. You can install Linux on them. You can run Linux programs on them. (Though I don't know for sure that you can run gdb on them.)

santoshalper 5y ago

I would put an iPad or smartphone somewhere between a general purpose computer and a fixed-function device. I think that has actually been the core of their success. They have the features of general purpose devices that most people care about without the hassle of having to maintain a device (which I enjoy, but my parents certainly do not)