“PC” historically refers to devices that are “IBM PC” compatible, although nowadays that mostly means machines with x86 chips… except that powerful ARM desktops, laptops, and servers are becoming a thing too so that’s not accurate either. Plus there’s that whole “Mac vs PC” ad which also makes the term more confusing.
But even going by the recent historical usage, I’d say the Steam Deck qualifies since it has an x86 chip, whereas the PS3 has a weird custom PowerPC cpu (which, ironically, was made by IBM).
All consoles are computers, in the sense that their chips are turing-complete
They don't really make a computer that can only run the things you like and none of the things you don't.
They're just computers locked down by digital rights management with opaque operating systems.
Cort@lemmy.world 1 year ago
To be fair, does that make a ps3 running Linux a desktop?
linuxdweeb@lemm.ee 1 year ago
“PC” historically refers to devices that are “IBM PC” compatible, although nowadays that mostly means machines with x86 chips… except that powerful ARM desktops, laptops, and servers are becoming a thing too so that’s not accurate either. Plus there’s that whole “Mac vs PC” ad which also makes the term more confusing.
But even going by the recent historical usage, I’d say the Steam Deck qualifies since it has an x86 chip, whereas the PS3 has a weird custom PowerPC cpu (which, ironically, was made by IBM).
Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 1 year ago
really at this point PC just means it’s not locked down to a highly specific software source and lets you change the OS
kick_out_the_jams@kbin.social 1 year ago
All consoles are computers, in the sense that their chips are turing-complete
They don't really make a computer that can only run the things you like and none of the things you don't.
They're just computers locked down by digital rights management with opaque operating systems.