> (the Mac was done in 1984, 11 years after the more powerful and capable Parc Alto, which started working in 1973).
I find this comment mildly irritating. The Alto apparently cost $40k [1] in (or around) 1973, which was equivalent to $95k in 1984 (or $232k today). Compare with the Mac which cost $2.5k in 1984.
Sure, the Alto may have been more powerful, but if it was financially out of reach of almost everybody, it's no wonder it had a limited direct impact.
I wonder if it's a trend that Alan underestimates the importance of economics for technology to actually have an impact.
I find this comment mildly irritating. The Alto apparently cost $40k [1] in (or around) 1973, which was equivalent to $95k in 1984 (or $232k today). Compare with the Mac which cost $2.5k in 1984.
Sure, the Alto may have been more powerful, but if it was financially out of reach of almost everybody, it's no wonder it had a limited direct impact.
I wonder if it's a trend that Alan underestimates the importance of economics for technology to actually have an impact.
[1] http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/input-output/14/34...