A Complete History Of Mainframe Computing

[Chuck Guzis]

On 4 Jul 2009 at 22:07, Jerome H. Fine wrote:

> So just pick whichever year that you feel is the dividing year between
> vacuum tube computers and transistor computers.  Then see if the
> parameters which make a given model of computer significant are the
> same or if the parameters change.  My guess is that at the very least,
> the number produced of any given model of vacuum computer will be
> significantly less, on average, than any given model of transistor
> computer.  I image that other parameters will also change.

I think I understand what you're saying, but the effect's going to be 
masked by the gradual growing acceptance of computers in general and 
the decreasing recurring cost per unit of commodity parts, such as 
core memories and the improvements in components such as solid-state 
diodes and printed circuit boards.

It's a tough call.  But your point is taken.

--Chuck