[He smiles at the question, just a slight quirk of the lips.] Compared to the computers of the time when I first learned to work with them, certainly. But it is not particularly powerful, relative to what is available. [It isn't what he needs his laptop for, after all. Pure processing power can be handled by other machines. (And no need to mention to Howard just how much he has augmented his own laptop despite the difficulties.)]

There are some, although not the ones used for personal work. Any that work through large amounts of information, for example, will take up a great deal of space. [Not naming any supercomputer AI names there. You know who you are, kids.] If we extend your quite apt analogy, those supercomputers would be whole typing pools, and at least one major library attached to it.

There is no permit required, but as you might imagine, the only prohibitive element may be the cost. They're increasingly affordable, but always on a scale.