# How many computer devices do I need? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 29, 2010, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876 "2010-08-29T10:23:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/21 "2010-08-29T18:19:24Z")
I don’t have a Kindle, but I do have the Kindle app on my smartphone, and I am surprised at how readable it is on the 3.7" screen. Web browsing, though, doesn’t quite cut it; it is just that little bit too small. The 6" Kindle is a better size, but as it has a monochrome screen, it’s not satisfactory for web browsing. If it wasn’t for the reflection problems, a pad might be OK for ebook reading, and definitely OK for browsing, but as a man with no bag, it’d be a pain to carry around. You see my dilemma? None of them can satisfy all my needs when out and about. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/22 "2010-08-29T18:20:59Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > > [@NineToTheSky](#): > > > > One of my concerns is how many devices should I leave the house with? The smartphone is a given, but as I (genuinely) often take a book with me, that means an ebook reader, and if I want to browse the web (sensibly) while out, I’d have to take a pad of some sort. Three devices? Isn’t this getting a bit silly? > > > > ETA: I forgot the camera. Smartphone cameras aren’t really good enough. Four devices. > > How is the camera a computer? Did you just mean anything electronic? My phone, GPS and camera are dedicated “dumb” devices, not computers. Under most circumstances, I carry only the phone on me, and only because I have to for work. > > I have one computer, a desktop that I built to do everything I want a computer to do. You’re right; it isn’t. I was getting carried away. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/23 "2010-08-29T18:53:13Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > > [@NineToTheSky](#): > > > > One of my concerns is how many devices should I leave the house with? The smartphone is a given, but as I (genuinely) often take a book with me, that means an ebook reader, and if I want to browse the web (sensibly) while out, I’d have to take a pad of some sort. Three devices? Isn’t this getting a bit silly? > > > > ETA: I forgot the camera. Smartphone cameras aren’t really good enough. Four devices. > > How is the camera a computer? Did you just mean anything electronic? My phone, GPS and camera are dedicated “dumb” devices, not computers. Under most circumstances, I carry only the phone on me, and only because I have to for work. > > I have one computer, a desktop that I built to do everything I want a computer to do. I would say anything that has a chip that collects data, performs calculations and then acts in some manner that changes based on that data is a computer. So maybe your phone isn’t a computer, but most cameras are because most digital cameras have automated functions to improve image quality, and I would imagine pretty much every GPS unit is because it calculates your location based on satellite signals. How would you define “computer”? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/24 "2010-08-29T19:13:44Z")
Having giving this a little more thought, almost every cell phone with a display screen and a memory for phone numbers is a computer too. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/25 "2010-08-29T20:08:00Z")
Billions. No, wait! Trillions! ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/26 "2010-08-29T20:14:09Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I would say anything that has a chip that collects data, performs calculations and then acts in some manner that changes based on that data is a computer. In a certain more technical sense, of course that is correct. Motor vehicles have “computers” in them. Some kitchen appliances have “computers.” The camera, GPS and phone all are as well. > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > How would you define “computer”? I guess it’s a little fuzzy, but certainly it would have to be a multi-purpose device, with a generalized I/O, probably running an “operating system,” with some capacity for adding subprograms for specialized tasks. I don’t know; I’m not really a techie, despite having taught myself enough to build my system. A smart phone is a computer, a plain cell phone isn’t. But then I guess a dedicated e-reader or mp3 player wouldn’t be either, and the OP mentioned those. Hell, I don’t know. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/27 "2010-08-29T20:14:40Z")
A good question would be how many PC type computers you need. I’d want my main computer for gaming. A media server type thing to watch movies and listen to music from. A laptop for when I’m on the move. An older computer for helping friends and family with virusy type stuff. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/28 "2010-08-29T21:23:41Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > I would say anything that has a chip that collects data, performs calculations and then acts in some manner that changes based on that data is a computer. > > In a certain more technical sense, of course that is correct. Motor vehicles have “computers” in them. Some kitchen appliances have “computers.” The camera, GPS and phone all are as well. > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > How would you define “computer”? > > I guess it’s a little fuzzy, but certainly it would have to be a multi-purpose device, with a generalized I/O, probably running an “operating system,” with some capacity for adding subprograms for specialized tasks. I don’t know; I’m not really a techie, despite having taught myself enough to build my system. A smart phone is a computer, a plain cell phone isn’t. But then I guess a dedicated e-reader or mp3 player wouldn’t be either, and the OP mentioned those. > > Hell, I don’t know. 😛 You are correct, you don’t know. 😉 Here is the [wiki definition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer) of computer: > [@](#): > > A computer is a programmable machine that receives input, stores and manipulates data//information, and provides output in a useful format… > > Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as “computers”. However, the embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to fighter aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are the most numerous… ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/29 "2010-08-29T23:51:42Z")
Who cares? /threadshit. But really, whatever you want, go get. If you don’t see the value in one of these devices, find someone that has one, see if they’re worth it, mess with it, and act accordingly. You forgot a robotic monkey butler, though. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/30 "2010-08-30T00:00:23Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > > [@Rigamarole](#): > > > > You can never have too many computer devices. There will be computers in everything pretty soon. And I mean _everything_. Your fucking couch will have a computer in it so it can network with the other furniture and decor to provide the optimal living room experience. > > > > And don’t ask me any follow-up questions about exactly how that’s going to work. I just know that it will. > > Sadly (for me) the \*how \*is relatively easy. It’s the \*why \*that’s killing me. Well that’s what I meant - not so much the technical how, but how it’s going to make your living room experience better. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/31 "2010-08-30T00:15:08Z")
Your couch will remember how you last sat on it, and the cushions will slump accordingly. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/32 "2010-08-30T00:33:20Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > You are correct, you don’t know. 😉 The wiki definition is essentially what I referred to in the first part of #26. What I (still) don’t know is a rigorous way of stating the more common understanding ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/33 "2010-08-30T00:54:27Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > You are correct, you don’t know. 😉 > > The wiki definition is essentially what I referred to in the first part of #26. What I (still) don’t know is a rigorous way of stating the more common understanding Not very close at all. > [@spark240](#): > > …but certainly it would have to be a multi-purpose device, with a generalized I/O, probably running an “operating system,” with some capacity for adding subprograms for specialized tasks. I don’t know; I’m not really a techie, despite having taught myself enough to build my system. A smart phone is a computer, a plain cell phone isn’t. But then I guess a dedicated e-reader or mp3 player wouldn’t be either, and the OP mentioned those. > > Hell, I don’t know. 😛 1. A computer doesn’t have to be a multi-purpose device, though it often is. 2. I have no what “generalized I/O” is. If you mean “keyboard”, that is wrong. But perhaps you’d liike to explain what this means. 3. There is no requirement for a computer to be able to add sub-programs for specialized tasks. Most cannot. They are built to operate a specific device and there are no options to reprogram them. A digital camera, a cell phone, a GPS device and an mp3 player all have computers in them. The OP asks about “computer devices”. Every one of these, including any others you said are “dumb”, are not. They are computer devices. ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/34 "2010-08-30T01:03:00Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > Should I stop eating so that I’ll be able to afford these essentials? I saw what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/35 "2010-08-30T01:21:06Z")
I’ll bet there’s a cheap food app, ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/36 "2010-08-30T01:52:32Z")
:smack: **Boyo** , you quoted the _second_ part there. But for the sake of other readers who might be wondering what I’m getting at (I always assume there are many more people reading a thread than posting to it), I’ll try to work through this. I apologize to those others for whom this is a pedantic hijack or whatever. > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. A computer doesn’t have to be a multi-purpose device, though it often is. Yes. But a single-purpose device is not commonly understood as a “computer.” (You quoted wiki saying so.) > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. I have no what “generalized I/O” is. If you mean “keyboard”, that is wrong. But perhaps you’d liike to explain what this means. I know that’s probably not the ideal technical term. As I said, I’m not a techie. But, look, a _specialized_ I/O would be one that only allows certain narrow types of inputs and outputs. A calculator or an mp3 player or a digital thermostat can only understand a tiny set of commands, and can only put out a tiny range of types of results (all audio signal out of the mp3 being one _type_). My desktop computer, by contrast, can accept _input_ from keyboard, mouse (or analogous controllers), both analog and digital audio lines, digital camera or video line, scanner, various standards of optical discs and solid-state media, and of course all the different things that come down the DSL. The combination of all these means there’s a _huge_ range of information categories and tasks the machine can be applied to. There’s a similarly wide range of possible output types. Something like a tablet isn’t quite as versatile as my desktop, but it’s a lot more like the desktop than the thermostat, isn’t it? > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. There is no requirement for a computer to be able to add sub-programs for specialized tasks. Most cannot. They are built to operate a specific device and there are no options to reprogram them. Yes. I’m trying to get at a term\* and rigorous definition for computers which _are_ required to have this flexibility… because, again, that’s what a “computer” is, in most common parlance. > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > A digital camera, a cell phone, a GPS device and an mp3 player all have computers in them. Yes. In the broader, more technical sense of the term. Like I said in #26. - The wiki seems to use “general-purpose computer.” I guess that works, but it’s pretty boring and would seem redundant to most people most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876/37 "2010-08-30T10:38:17Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’ll bet there’s a cheap food app, Nope, but there’s a food stamp app. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-computer-devices-do-i-need/551876.md?page=1)