You might think that that last question is easy: a computer carries out a computation, unlike a loom, music box, or automaton, but just this week I was corresponding with a computer scientist who believes that a mechanical musical box is carrying out a computation.

A well-known Enigma dealer wanted me to write that this machine is the (ahem) "first laptop" because it's small, battery-powered, and easily portable. But I was not convinced that it executes a program.

I think we’ve got through 15 years or so of this list without having the “first computer” argument and I’d like to keep that streak going.

Thank you.

Anyway I'm pretty sure that Michael Dell invented...  ;)