It is a valiant aim. As the beginning of computer technology you can expect the modest computing power.

The very real problems running a machine of this kind are the voltages involved - none of your gentle 5v here! Valves run at high voltages - sometimes up to 400v. Oh, and they are prone to breaking down. Only replacing them was no easy matter with voltages like that flying around.

Something for all of us to remember when our handy laptops go wrong.