I agree with all that. Pretty much went through similar experiences. I am sure the young generation will go through their own experiences and tell their grandchildren about the good old days too when they grow old.
50 years from now computers will be totally different.
Digital was a great company but shortsighted. The personal computer put them out of business. They believed that large computers and mainframe systems would be around forever and the high premiums paid for their hardware and software would continue forever. They always considered the personal computer as an inferior device.
The PC commoditized computer hardware and software and a few years later, ~ early 90s, a small company could develop a server for much cheaper and at quicker time to market.
Rhetorical question: how can “computers” and all things computer change much in coming years? The industry seems to have reached a plateau with each new version device being an incremental change in speed and features. Even faster Internet speed, 4G vs 5G, is only incremental.
Some possibilities (all my opinions):
1. the user interface must improve. Typing text messages and emails into a small touch screen is painful and slow (for me).
2. desktops and laptops will be around. There are some things that can only be done on a desktop or laptop computer (that cannot be done on a large touchpad or smartphone). Maybe because of the user interface problems with small devices. See #1 above?
3. improved coverage especially in remote areas. Maybe a satellite based telecom system.