Difference between revisions of "Talk:Mainframe"

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(Long rant.)
 
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===When is a computer not a mainframe?===
 
===When is a computer not a mainframe?===
  
A not too opinionated discussion around various ideas about what constitutes a "real" mainframe, and what doesn't, might be interesting.  As an example, in the DEC world, the PDP-10 family of computers are usually regarded as mainframes (probably excepting the DEC-2020).  But IBM people seem to regard it as minicomputer.  That is not to say one definition is more correct than any other.  The PDP-8 and 11 are usually regarded as squarely in the mini category even though some of he larger PDP-11s could rival a 10 in some respects.  The VAX was often referred to as a "super mini"; maybe later larger models nudged into the mainframe category? [[User:Larsbrinkhoff|Larsbrinkhoff]] ([[User talk:Larsbrinkhoff|talk]]) 19:03, 8 April 2021 (CEST)
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A not too opinionated discussion around various ideas about what constitutes a "real" mainframe, and what doesn't, might be interesting.  As an example, in the DEC world, the PDP-10 family of computers are usually regarded as mainframes (probably excepting the DEC-2020).  But IBM people seem to regard it as a minicomputer.  That is not to say one definition is more correct than any other.  The PDP-8 and 11 are usually regarded as squarely in the mini category even though some of the larger PDP-11s could rival a 10 in some respects.  The VAX was often referred to as a "super mini"; maybe later larger models nudged into the mainframe category? [[User:Larsbrinkhoff|Larsbrinkhoff]] ([[User talk:Larsbrinkhoff|talk]]) 19:03, 8 April 2021 (CEST)

Revision as of 18:04, 8 April 2021

When is a computer not a mainframe?

A not too opinionated discussion around various ideas about what constitutes a "real" mainframe, and what doesn't, might be interesting. As an example, in the DEC world, the PDP-10 family of computers are usually regarded as mainframes (probably excepting the DEC-2020). But IBM people seem to regard it as a minicomputer. That is not to say one definition is more correct than any other. The PDP-8 and 11 are usually regarded as squarely in the mini category even though some of the larger PDP-11s could rival a 10 in some respects. The VAX was often referred to as a "super mini"; maybe later larger models nudged into the mainframe category? Larsbrinkhoff (talk) 19:03, 8 April 2021 (CEST)