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Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

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Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#41

Post by FpUser »

echelon wrote: post #31
JKCalhoun wrote: post #11

Interesting deep dive on switching power supplies. I didn't see the need to frame it by attacking Apple.

> I didn't see the need to frame it by attacking Apple. Other posters have already pointed out that this article seeks to clarify the history around Steve Jobs' (not entirely accurate) claims. I want to focus on the fact that people find a need to protect Apple. Apple is a 2T+ market cap corporation. It is not a friend, it is not a family member, and it is certainly not beyond reproach. It doesn't care about you -- i…

>"I want to focus on the fact that people find a need to protect Apple."

I do not think they're trying to protect Apple. They are protecting their choice. Same as people "protecting" Python, Rust etc.

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#42

Post by type0 »

fortran77 wrote: post #30
amelius wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fake it till you make it.

Well, he’s dead and I’m still here. I don’t think he made it.

Maybe he would still be alive if he didn't try to fake his cancer treatments https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/alternative-medic...

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#45

Post by FPGAhacker »

EastOfTruth wrote: post #32

I never heard that Apple invented switching power supplies... how common is that train of thought? I've been using them since way before this article was written

The article is neither making or debunking that claim. It is debunking the claim that apple revolutionized computer power supplies by borrowing the switching power supply design used in oscilloscopes. It’s the second sentence of the post.

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#46

Post by JKCalhoun »

fortran77 wrote: post #16
JKCalhoun wrote: post #11

Interesting deep dive on switching power supplies. I didn't see the need to frame it by attacking Apple.

It's only right to clear up a falsehood promoted by Steve Jobs himself. He's not above scrutiny.

Oh you're absolutely correct about that. Jobs in particular needs to be scrutinized.

But if that was the point of the article a few paragraphs under the section "History of switching power supplies to 1977" already accomplished that.

The article reads like it was written by a power supply enthusiast (who knew?), and the author did a good job of drawing me into the history, technology. It would have still been an interesting read without the "bookends".

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#47

Post by smoldesu »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #46
fortran77 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's only right to clear up a falsehood promoted by Steve Jobs himself. He's not above scrutiny.

Oh you're absolutely correct about that. Jobs in particular needs to be scrutinized. But if that was the point of the article a few paragraphs under the section "History of switching power supplies to 1977" already accomplished that. The article reads like it was written by a power supply enthusiast (who knew?), and the author did a good job of drawing me into the history, technology. It would have still been an inte…

Journalism doesn't become any less interesting by making connections to the greater outside world, especially when it's timely/contextually relevant.

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#48

Post by Angostura »

FPGAhacker wrote: post #45
EastOfTruth wrote: post #32

I never heard that Apple invented switching power supplies... how common is that train of thought? I've been using them since way before this article was written

The article is neither making or debunking that claim. It is debunking the claim that apple revolutionized computer power supplies by borrowing the switching power supply design used in oscilloscopes. It’s the second sentence of the post.

I've never heard the claim that apple revolutionized computer power supplies.

I've heard the claim they make decent ones.

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#49

Post by smoldesu »

kens wrote: post #24
nahuel0x wrote: post #20

well, in some sense Apple didn't invent personal computing, MOS 6502 did.

I'm not looking to argue over the meaning of "invent" or "personal computing", but I'll point out that Alan Kay wrote a 1972 paper "A Personal Computer for Children of All Ages" that pretty much describes the modern laptop or tablet. (He even mentions ad blockers!) Xerox PARC went on to implement a lot of this in the Xerox Alto. It's worth taking a look at the paper to see how many "modern" ideas were described in 19…

"Should the computer program the kid, or should the kid program the computer?" -s. Papert

Whoa.

That's a great read, thanks!

Re: Apple didn't revolutionize power supplies; new transistors did (2012)

#50

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

Angostura wrote: post #48
FPGAhacker wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article is neither making or debunking that claim. It is debunking the claim that apple revolutionized computer power supplies by borrowing the switching power supply design used in oscilloscopes. It’s the second sentence of the post.

I've never heard the claim that apple revolutionized computer power supplies. I've heard the claim they make decent ones.

Jobs made the claim in his biography. Read the article or the book.
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