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Jurassic Park computers in excruciating detail (fabiensanglard.net)

961 points by vinhnx · 44 days ago · 259 comments on HN

Article summary

The article is a detailed analysis of the computers and software used in the movie Jurassic Park, including Apple Powerbooks, SGI workstations, and Motorola Envoys. The author researched every computer visible in the movie and provides specifications and historical context for each device. The article also explores the making of the movie's computer graphics and the use of real computers on set. The author notes that the computers used in the movie were state-of-the-art at the time and were loaned to the production by companies like Silicon Graphics and Apple.

Main themes

  • Retro computer hardware
  • Movie special effects
  • Computer graphics history
  • Tech in film
  • Vintage computing
  • SGI and Apple systems

What commenters say

  • The combination of SGI and Mac computers in the movie is an odd choice, but it reflects the high-end technology available at the time.
  • The use of Macs and SGI machines in the movie is a realistic representation of the computer systems used in scientific labs and other industries in the 1990s.
  • The SGI machines were primarily used for 3D graphics rendering and were not the most practical choice for other tasks, but they were used in the movie to showcase advanced technology.
  • The article's attention to detail and historical context provides a fascinating look at the evolution of computer technology and its depiction in film.
  • The movie's portrayal of computer systems and programming is somewhat accurate, but also reflects the need for dramatic license and visual effects.
  • The choice of computers in the movie was likely influenced by the production team's access to SGI machines for rendering CGI dinosaurs, rather than purely technical considerations.
  • The Amiga computer, which is not featured in the movie, had limitations that made it less suitable for video playback and other applications.
  • The use of high-end computer hardware as a form of compensation for programmers is a trope that is not necessarily economically sensible, given the rapid pace of technological progress.