[snootypoot]

its worth noting that you were much less restricted with this 6k computer in 1996. today we are paying ever more for walled gardens that will eventually become nothing more than a portal to cloud services. we are not returning to a previous position, we are moving to a world where everything will be a thin client.

[platevoltage]

If we are talking specifically about Macs, I remember my Mac in 1996 didn't even have a command line interface.

[cyberlurker]

True but you can also buy a RPI or other cheap computer and do literally whatever you want with it. Those walled gardens and portals serve a purpose for many users who don’t care about being restricted for the benefits that come with it.

[amelius]

Yeah but these computers don't have sota performance by maybe more than a factor of 10. So an unfair comparison.

[AbsurdCensor]

Were you? That $6k Apple in 1996 was just as 'walled garden' as it is now.