First off I am unrated. I have beaten computers that are rated around 1700 but feel that I am not making any progress. I am worried that I just get used to the engines style of play and not actually improving. Computers are also much more powerful than humans are to the point where it's like trying to play tennis with a brick wall. One the other side the diffuculty can be adjusted, you can review analyzed games, and you can take back and fix moves(though this is useless at higher level engines). I have heard arguments all around and 95% of my play is vs computers.
Since you know all the answers already, there is no point in repeating them.
Playing rated players will at least allow you to measure your progress.
There is no way for you to know that you are a 1700 except by measuring yourself against humans.
First off I am unrated. I have beaten computers that are rated around 1700 but feel that I am not making any progress. I am worried that I just get used to the engines style of play and not actually improving. Computers are also much more powerful than humans are to the point where it's like trying to play tennis with a brick wall. One the other side the diffuculty can be adjusted, you can review analyzed games, and you can take back and fix moves(though this is useless at higher level engines). I have heard arguments all around and 95% of my play is vs computers.