"PC" architectures stretched to include the territory.
I dunno what for example, you could configure as the maximum RAM x86 system you could put beside someone's desk; but I'll bet that (1) its substantial now, and (b) no other arch exits that can markedly outdo that number for less than 10x? 50x? the cost. it any exist at all.
I guess "minicomputer" would've meant "constant reliable I/O" to some users, and that's evolved into more special purpose and redundant systems too, but again all pretty much the same bases. I think.
Mainly because 'modern' personal computers are orders-of-magnitude more capable than the minicomputers of yesteryear.
While 'playing' with emulators of the PDP8 minicomputers recently, I realised that my Z80 of 1980 was more capable than one of the PDP8s of the mid-1960s.
My 'expensive' ($2,000) microcomputer from 1980 was as good as a minicomputer worth $120,000 in 1966. That 1980 microcomputer is primitive in comparison to today's 'hobby' Raspberry Pi which sells for about $100 in total.
I dunno what for example, you could configure as the maximum RAM x86 system you could put beside someone's desk; but I'll bet that (1) its substantial now, and (b) no other arch exits that can markedly outdo that number for less than 10x? 50x? the cost. it any exist at all.
I guess "minicomputer" would've meant "constant reliable I/O" to some users, and that's evolved into more special purpose and redundant systems too, but again all pretty much the same bases. I think.