This is all from my knowledge and understanding so grain of salt.

From my understanding Hardware only knows On and off Or in other words the Flow of current going to transistors (and all Chips are is arrays of micro transistors) Its the software that does the rest.


"Software is what makes or breaks a computer and the funniest thing about the relationship is that software has grown so fast to completely erase the amazing speed growth in the hardware."

If by software you mean OS The only way a OS can make or break hardware (The computer) Is if it can or can not utilize the full potential of the hardwares capabilities. This goes greatly into technical stuff but in short if your OS cannot do what the hardware can you are missing out. In a quick example Windows XP cannot handle more then 4 gigs of ram when most of todays Mobos can handle more then 8.


"Computer capability is more than just simple #s like GHz or GBytes."

Yes it is just that simple actually. A 900mhz single core CPU a good deal of currently made Netbooks is by far not comparable to a 4Ghz Quadcore on a desktop currently sold. A 500GB HD will not hold more then 500 gigs, That is a capability limit that a OS Cannot solve, only more hardware. The more you do the higher you want them simple Numbers. The less you do the lower the numbers and even further less then comes your OS Choice in which case Linux Distros that Run fully in Ram.

"outperform nearly all the original "super computers" so we can surf the net, play flash games on facebook and edit our pictures."

A somewhat expensive PC with Windows XP made in 2000 with no upgrades Can easily do all these things. In fact a moderately priced PC from 2000 can do all these with a decent graphics card for 50$ or so of that year and a gig of ram added today. I can put together a computer that will do all this for 150$ from a computer Expo running Just free old ubuntu.

"Those trades mean they gave something up to get to that price"

Id like to know what you think they gave up when the hardware is almost always by the same exact manufacturers as Apple Computers. In fact all 500-600$ PCs currently sold by the popular Brands are pretty darn good. Just cuz apple doesnt sell Computers for less then a grand does not mean PCs for less are giving anything up in terms of quality or usability. For most people the hardware difference is negligible in small doses of reduction. a 3ghz dual core will seem just the same as a 4ghz quad core when all you do is flashgames.....


When hardware difference matters its in large noticable differences in numbers coming right back to why the numbers matter most. In my opinion people who will easily tell the difference are the ones who do video editing and gaming with all settings on high. The idea that everyone needs a high end computer to Use the internet and play coffeebreak games is long embedded into societies thinking from marketing. Its the way of thinking for more people, they need the biggest fastest most expensive and what the tv says is the best just cuz its a statues thing. The only times i see people reasonably think out a expensive computer for their needs is when they figure they will not buy another for the next ten years since they do so little on it and wish the computer to handle the next advancements 10 years brings. Look at the internet today and think how it would be to use dial up to load these multiple megabyte websites.