Hi - long time lurker, new poster...
I've always wondered why the early SS games used CPU controlled bumpers... While I've never really noticed it on my Centaur, I've heard that some designers struggled with the CPU resources available in the early designs and that scanning and code latency between switch closure and solenoid signaling was an issue. Even if that was not a major problem, wouldn't it have been simpler to continue to use conventional relay controlled bumper solenoids and just have the CPU sense the ball hit for scoring?
I understand where saucers, gates and other features make perfect sense to have the CPU control, but bumpers seem like it would be easier (and perhaps faster) with conventional relay designs.
I'm guessing that maybe power transistors were cheaper than relays?
Just wondering...