Back in the psychedelic era of the 1970s, when bell-bottoms and disco balls ruled the world, there was another big player stealing the spotlight (and by big, I mean the size of a Soviet refrigerator). Enter the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX 780—this beast of a minicomputer was the dream machine for every tech wizard from Harvard to Hackensack.
Let’s talk turkey: the VAX 780 was equipped with 1 megabyte of memory and trotted along at 5 MHz. Now, before you whip out your calculators, that’s about the processing power needed to run a modern digital watch (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but only slightly). It was a marvel of its time, helping those with deep enough pockets (about $120,000 worth or $450,000 in 2024 dollars) to solve problems ranging from climate simulations to calculating the best recipe for cafeteria meatloaf.
Fast forward to today, and even the tech in your toddler’s talking toy might scoff at such primitive specs. The Google Pixel Pro 9 XL, a sleek gadget that can actually fit in your pocket (without requiring a forklift), makes the VAX 780 look like an electronic dinosaur. This smartphone not only brings the world to your fingertips but also runs circles around old-school behemoths with its multi-core processor and gigabytes of RAM.
Oh, and let’s talk about connectivity. While the VAX 780 needed a room of its own and enough AC to cool a small country, the Pixel Pro 9 XL just slips into your pocket, ready to summon every cat video and conspiracy theory the internet can throw at it. The VAX’s idea of connectivity was probably a good, firm handshake.
Now, why drag the VAX 780 out of its digital grave? To show just how far we’ve come, my friends. From refrigerators that compute, to computers in our refrigerators, the journey of tech is one heck of a trip. And who knows? Maybe forty years from now, some snarky blogger will be laughing at how we used to tap on glass screens while their brain chip does the browsing.
Here’s a comparison table outlining the specifications of the DEC VAX 780 and the Google Pixel Pro 9 XL:
| Specification | DEC VAX 780 | Google Pixel Pro 9 XL |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released | 1977 | 2023 |
| Type | Minicomputer | Smartphone |
| Size | Refrigerator-sized cabinet | Fits in pocket |
| Processor Speed | 5 MHz | Multi-core GHz |
| Memory | 1 MB | Gigabytes of RAM |
| Storage | Not applicable | Terabytes |
| Price (at release) | $120,000 | $999 |
| Processor Speed Factor | 1x | Approx. 600x |
This table starkly illustrates the dramatic advancements in computing technology over the past few decades, both in terms of performance and accessibility.
So, next time you gripe about your phone dying after a mere ten hours of scrolling through memes, remember the humble beginnings from which we’ve come. Trust me, it could be worse. You could be swapping out vacuum tubes in a VAX 780.
Business and technology change quicker than a Google Pixel Pro can do a VAX 780 complex calculation. Are you moving with the times, or is your company heading towards the Digital Equipment Corporation cliff? As a business coach, I’m always asking my clients what innovation is coming around the corner to disrupt their business. Let’s have a sample coaching call and maybe we’ll find the disruption hiding around that corner.
Books From Glen Hellman
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Intentional Leadership: Unleash your team’s potential. This tactical guide reveals the proven “Leadership Canvas” framework for building, inspiring, and driving high-performance teams. Order now and transform your leadership.
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Cyphers & Sighs: A heart-pounding global thriller where love collides with loyalty amidst a web of high-tech espionage. Every keystroke could betray… every breath could be your last. Order now for an unforgettable adventure.
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Write to Die: When tech blogger Greg Newsome’s words expose a dark secret, he unwittingly becomes a target. Now, he’s racing to protect those he loves in a desperate fight for survival. A gripping tale of danger and redemption.
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Turn Around & Die: Executive coach Greg Newsome takes the helm of a troubled tech giant, only to discover a deadly conspiracy lurking beneath the surface. Plunged into a world of international intrigue, can he save the company… and himself?
- Cross My Heart & Hope to Die: Greg Newsome finds himself caught in a dangerous web of intrigue and revenge. After surviving a brutal attack on his home, Greg embarks on a new assignment for the Santini crime family, where he must navigate the treacherous waters of corporate espionage while trying to rebuild his shattered life.
Link here to find them on Amazon
