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Every computer is general purpose at its core. But some computers ship with software/firmware that restricts the purposes accessible by the end user.
by doodpants 3y ago
Every computer is general purpose at its core. But some computers ship with software/firmware that restricts the purposes accessible by the end user.
- FirmwareBurner 3y ago> But some computers ship with software/firmware that restricts the purposes accessible by the end user. Which is a necessary evil if you're shipping the hardware of that "computer" at ultra low or negative margins in order to make back the investment on SW sales. Otherwise, the air force will buy boatloads of PS3s for a computer farm and scalpers will use PS5 for crypto mining and Sony would go bust from these hardware sales. Apple is in a different position as it makes crazy margins even on hardware which is arare for hardware manufacturers.
- doodpants 3y agoSelling hardware at negative margins is not a "necessary" evil; it's just a business model that some manufacturers choose to impose on consumers, and then we end up with things like DRM-encumbered printer ink cartridges.
- andersa 3y agoGood thing we know that Apple already makes significant profit on every sale of their hardware.
- FirmwareBurner 3y agoYeah, it's almost as if some more healthy competition in the market would help instead of Apple being a monpopoly on mobile along with Google. Hence why we need regulations to break Apple and Google of their high horse.