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I think it’s just a consequence of the computer market maturing. I’m sure if you bought a car in the 1900s you got detailed schematics as well

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If you brought anything by 1980 you'd get detailed schematics. It doesn't matter if the thing was recently invented or existed for centuries.

And if you buy anything nowadays you will get undocumented locked-down hardware. It doesn't happen if it's recently invented or existed for centuries.

1980's computers compared to today's computers are like an IKEA chair compared a nuclear aircraft carrier.

So what? (But no, they had way more discrete components.)

Compare 1980's sound systems to today's sound systems. Or 1980's fridges to today's fridges. Or washing machines, circuit breakers, whatever.

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