3 ms·

It wouldn't be the first time that hardware gets ahead of software. In 1988-94, the CPUs available in desktop computers were substantially more advanced than t

by pavlov 3y ago

It wouldn't be the first time that hardware gets ahead of software. In 1988-94, the CPUs available in desktop computers were substantially more advanced than the widely used operating systems. Windows 3 and Mac System 6/7 didn't support pre-emptive multitasking, memory protection, or many other features that define a modern OS. Maybe we'll look back at today's Quest and Vision Pro as similar transitional devices with one foot stuck in the old paradigm, running old-style software.

pvg 3y ago
The Apple headset is maybe more akin to the expensive workstations of the time which did make fuller use of their CPU facilities but were neither priced nor aimed at consumers. The headset is not nearly as expensive (especially inflation adjusted) and is ostensibly a consumer device but it's current incarnation seems unlikely to have the kind of mass adoption for the analogy to work out.
- pavlov 3y ago
  The fact that the Vision Pro today mostly runs legacy iPad and web software in 2D rectangles kind of makes it feel like Windows/386 which most people just used to run text mode MS-DOS programs inside GUI windows.
- cgk 3y ago
  Visiting a certain urban area on the east coast, dm me on X if possible to meet up
aidenn0 3y ago
> In 1988-94, the CPUs available in desktop computers were substantially more advanced than the widely used operating systems. Windows 3 and Mac System 6/7 didn't support pre-emptive multitasking, memory protection, or many other features that define a modern OS. That was partly because RAM was over $100/MB (Nominal; ~$230 inflation adjusted) in 1990. Additionally, in the IBM compatible world, many people didn't have a 386 at that point. Also, minor nitpick on the dates; 1993 saw OS/2 2.1 and NT 3.1, both of which had preemptive multitasking and memory protection.

3 ms·

It wouldn't be the first time that hardware gets ahead of software. In 1988-94, the CPUs available in desktop computers were substantially more advanced than t

by pavlov 3y ago

pvg 3y ago
The Apple headset is maybe more akin to the expensive workstations of the time which did make fuller use of their CPU facilities but were neither priced nor aimed at consumers. The headset is not nearly as expensive (especially inflation adjusted) and is ostensibly a consumer device but it's current incarnation seems unlikely to have the kind of mass adoption for the analogy to work out.
- pavlov 3y ago
  The fact that the Vision Pro today mostly runs legacy iPad and web software in 2D rectangles kind of makes it feel like Windows/386 which most people just used to run text mode MS-DOS programs inside GUI windows.
- cgk 3y ago
  Visiting a certain urban area on the east coast, dm me on X if possible to meet up
aidenn0 3y ago
> In 1988-94, the CPUs available in desktop computers were substantially more advanced than the widely used operating systems. Windows 3 and Mac System 6/7 didn't support pre-emptive multitasking, memory protection, or many other features that define a modern OS. That was partly because RAM was over $100/MB (Nominal; ~$230 inflation adjusted) in 1990. Additionally, in the IBM compatible world, many people didn't have a 386 at that point. Also, minor nitpick on the dates; 1993 saw OS/2 2.1 and NT 3.1, both of which had preemptive multitasking and memory protection.