The predicament presented is not new since there has always (in my geek lifetime at least) been a division between "computing" devices and "gaming" devices. Ye

The predicament presented is not new since there has always (in my geek lifetime at least) been a division between "computing" devices and "gaming" devices. Yes, I too learned programming on my TI99/4A and Aquarius and Laser 128 but then I also played games on my Intellivision without a way of trying my code there. I always saw hacking on my computer as a "gateway" (no pun intended) to creating more advanced programs in much the same way as playing backyard football was a "gateway" to playing professional football (if I was good enough). Finally, it seems to me that the ultra-portable laptop revolution will be the driver of getting more "computing" devices into the hands of future generations.