17: Does my key fob have more computing power than the Lunar lander? - Runtime Arguments

1 min read Original article ↗

When people talk about the power of their computers, we've heard all kinds of claims:

  • I have more power on my desktop computer than the Apollo had to put a man on the moon
  • The phone in my pocket has more power than the Apollo space program had
  • I have more power on my wrist watch than the lunar lander
  • And the latest one: I have more power in my key fob than the Apollo capsule had

Are any of these true?  In this episode, we break it down and enjoy a bit of computing history along the way.

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENIAC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

https://www.ibm.com/history/space-shuttle

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF52840

Hosts:
Jim McQuillan can be reached at jam@RuntimeArguments.fm
Wolf can be reached at wolf@RuntimeArguments.fm

Follow us on Mastodon: @RuntimeArguments@hachyderm.io

If you have feedback for us, please send it to feedback@RuntimeArguments.fm

Checkout our webpage at http://RuntimeArguments.fm

Theme music:
Dawn by nuer self, from the album Digital Sky

Mainframes - ENIAC, IBM 360

Mini computers - DEC PDP-7

Current generation of CPUs

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