CodeWalrus

Development => Hardware => Topic started by: DarkestEx on May 03, 2015, 10:24:29 PM

Title: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 03, 2015, 10:24:29 PM
Hey, I found and bought myself a ZipIt Z2, which is a tiny little computer with a keyboard, an LCD, and ARM XSCALE processor @ ~400 MHZ and an sd card.
It also has wifi, usb host and is just a really nice hackable gadget.

Here's a photo of it:
(http://wejp.k.vu/images/z2.jpg)

I hope you all like that cute little device as much as I.

It runs Arch Linux, OpenWRT and Debian.
You can get it for ~50$ here (https://www.tindie.com/products/mozzwald/new-zipit-z2-linux-handheld-and-breakout-board/).

Greetings, Benedikt
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Yuki on May 03, 2015, 10:25:32 PM
I want one~
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Snektron on May 03, 2015, 10:28:06 PM
Whoa that looks awesome :D
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 03, 2015, 10:29:17 PM
Seems very nice. I was a little disappointed at the 312 MHz (or 400?) default CPU speed, though, considering my HP Prime is 400 MHz despite being a calculator. But it's much cheaper than the Prime so I guess it's a good tradeoff. I probably won't get one for now, though, since I am saving money for a TI-83 Premium CE (if I can get one shipped to Canada) or TI-84 Plus CE.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 03, 2015, 10:32:08 PM
You can actually overclock it pretty easy.

Heres a photo of my one:
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/b78bae1663a1960b81f6cab9f178163d.jpg)

Here's code walrus:
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/fbfca3ab96b8f2d1339c7ccaaddf31f8.jpg)

And my main menu:
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/8f386c267ab4103de06f2f7cc91701e5.jpg)
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Yuki on May 03, 2015, 11:11:55 PM
Ooh, what WM is that? And what's the screen resolution?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Strontium on May 03, 2015, 11:31:23 PM
DWM (http://dwm.suckless.org) with some custom keybindings would probably be really great on this.
Surf (http://surf.suckless.org) would probably be nice as well.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 03, 2015, 11:33:45 PM
Quote from: Juju on May 03, 2015, 11:11:55 PM
Ooh, what WM is that? And what's the screen resolution?
gmenu2x is the WM.
The native resolution is QVGA (320x240).
It supports 3D. Some 3D games are tested and running.
One of the coolest is Doom.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Ivoah on May 03, 2015, 11:45:01 PM
Get TilEm running on that! http://lpg.ticalc.org/prj_tilem/
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 03, 2015, 11:54:11 PM
Quote from: Ivoah on May 03, 2015, 11:45:01 PM
Get TilEm running on that! http://lpg.ticalc.org/prj_tilem/
I guess that's possible. I only need to set up another cross compiler.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 04, 2015, 12:03:36 AM
ooo... that would be cool...... It reminds me of this LOL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noe3kR8KqJc)

* alexgt dreams of a spare $50...
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 04, 2015, 03:11:01 PM
What is the max speed this can be overclocked at?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 04, 2015, 03:52:01 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on May 04, 2015, 03:11:01 PM
What is the max speed this can be overclocked at?
You can overclock it up to 520 MHZ.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Snektron on May 04, 2015, 04:12:56 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 04, 2015, 12:03:36 AM
ooo... that would be cool...... It reminds me of this LOL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noe3kR8KqJc)
Whahaha. Also can we make a mactini CW edition with a 4x3 screen?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 04, 2015, 07:55:30 PM
I have a 3D Printer (http://www.plasticscribbler.com/products/item/109-asterid-2100) so I could print one up then paint a :walrii: on it
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 05, 2015, 05:03:47 PM
Wow you're lucky. I want a 3D Printer one day. If you make a custom computer case, though, make sure to keep it ventilated so the computer in it doesn't overheat. Or if someone managed to make a 3D Walrii made of blocks you could 3D-print one. :)

Anyway back on topic I wonder how well the ZipIt Z2 can handle Internet browsing? I know that on my PSVita this site and various others would error due to lack of RAM (the Vita has 512).
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 06:36:56 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on May 05, 2015, 05:03:47 PM
Anyway back on topic I wonder how well the ZipIt Z2 can handle Internet browsing? I know that on my PSVita this site and various others would error due to lack of RAM (the Vita has 512).
Well, it is not really meant for web browsing, but it works quite well using something tiny with only a few functions like link2, elinks, ... but there are browsers like dillio which work quite well too and offer some more features like JavaScript and CSS. Flash and Video players in general are never going to run on it though. It is not slow and images work fine. You can actually play or stream videos from the web, but not with a web browser, but by using mplayer or similar video players.
Ram is sufficient for the most time. I know it is not that much, but I had never problems with the size though.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on May 05, 2015, 05:03:47 PM
Wow you're lucky. I want a 3D Printer one day. If you make a custom computer case, though, make sure to keep it ventilated so the computer in it doesn't overheat. Or if someone managed to make a 3D Walrii made of blocks you could 3D-print one. :)
I got good grades coming into the school year so my dad paid for half :). We weren't talking about printing a computer case (I don't think) but printing the computer in the video although a computer case would be cool it would be hard to print :P . I can make a :walrii: real quick with 123D Design, that is the soft ware I use to make the stuff it prints. Hope you can get one :).  Back on topic I will see if my dad will let me get one he is kind-of limiting on the stuff I get. Also does it have a language that you can program with on there?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 07:40:18 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Back on topic I will see if my dad will let me get one he is kind-of limiting on the stuff I get. Also does it have a language that you can program with on there?
Hmm, I hope your dad allows you to buy it ;)
Well, the supported languages are:
Basic, Lua, Python, C, C++, Java Micro Editon, Assembler, Javascript, Bash, PHP, Perl, Ruby and a few others.
You can compile C, C++ and Assembler on the device itself.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:41:08 PM
Cool does it have an on-board editor?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 07:42:24 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:41:08 PM
Cool does it have an on-board editor?
You can use Nano which provides syntax coloring.
Also there's a Lua and a Basic Ide available.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 07:52:10 PM
Here are some more screenshots:

Fluxbox:
(https://web.archive.org/web/20100311205619im_/http://www.quantumlime.com/sites/default/files/uploads/zipit/screens/blankflux.png)

Dillio with Google:
(https://web.archive.org/web/20100311205619im_/http://www.quantumlime.com/sites/default/files/uploads/zipit/screens/dillogoogle.png)

Fluxbox again:
(https://web.archive.org/web/20100311205619im_/http://www.quantumlime.com/sites/default/files/uploads/zipit/screens/appmenu.png)

Screenshots are from here (http://quantumlime.com/?page_id=29).
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:57:01 PM
If I get one it will definitely be in my top 3 devices :)

Those screenies look awesome O.O I always liked pocket computers that is how I got into calculators and also my parents won't let me get a phone/ tablet <_<
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:03:06 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 07:57:01 PM
If I get one it will definitely be in my top 3 devices :)

Those screenies look awesome O.O I always liked pocket computers that is how I got into calculators and also my parents won't let me get a phone/ tablet <_<
That sounds great! I'd find it great if people here would buy one. We could make really cool things with it!

Here are some more screenies ;)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pS0Vh4DRIg/Tqhq1YokVtI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ReMOGB-1QS0/s320/flwriter-aa.jpg)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhM1aN5JMTQ/TqhnmhKLtkI/AAAAAAAAAD0/vFcS1WvI2BI/s320/mbasecalc.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXi_jW1FhQI/TpTWN-3NofI/AAAAAAAAADU/8-lPi2zhJvQ/s320/nxtermclock.jpg)

Sauce is here (http://macrofig.blogspot.de/2011_10_01_archive.html).
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:07:45 PM
Does it have imports that could work with micro controllers like an arduino if so we could do some pretty neat stuff.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:12:50 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:07:45 PM
Does it have imports that could work with micro controllers like an arduino if so we could do some pretty neat stuff.
Yes it does. The link I posted in the first post is the last distributor of these handhelds (he still has alot of them in stock). It will include a GPIO breakout board that has around 10-15 GPIO pins and USB host.
It does interface with the Arduino too. You can flash it either over USB, Serial and it can even act as an ICSP.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:15:39 PM
Oooo... that brings up ideas :).

Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:12:50 PM
last distributor of these handhelds
They aren't making them any more  :'(
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:18:44 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:15:39 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:12:50 PM
last distributor of these handhelds
They aren't making them any more  :'(

Well, yeah, they don't produce them anymore, but there are still so many available. Also its just such a cool platform :)
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one :P
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:21:51 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one :P
Sounds great :)
If you buy one, I will help you to get it running if you want. I can also compile you nearly any Linux util you need in case it is not  already available.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 07, 2015, 05:17:25 PM
Wow at those screenshots! :O
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 08, 2015, 04:01:13 AM
Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:21:51 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one :P
Sounds great :)
If you buy one, I will help you to get it running if you want. I can also compile you nearly any Linux util you need in case it is not  already available.
Thanks :) I haven't had time to ask but I hopefully will soon...  I hope...
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Strontium on May 08, 2015, 04:02:34 AM
Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:21:51 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one :P
Sounds great :)
If you buy one, I will help you to get it running if you want. I can also compile you nearly any Linux util you need in case it is not  already available.

Compiling things on linux is pretty much always just a case of typing "sudo make install".
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Unicorn on May 08, 2015, 05:47:59 AM
I want one! Lol, I'm kind of late amn't I?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Snektron on May 08, 2015, 08:42:58 AM
Quote from: Strontium on May 08, 2015, 04:02:34 AM
Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:21:51 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one :P
Sounds great :)
If you buy one, I will help you to get it running if you want. I can also compile you nearly any Linux util you need in case it is not  already available.

Compiling things on linux is pretty much always just a case of typing "sudo make install".
and getting 100s of errors? :P At least thats what happens when i try it <_<
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 08, 2015, 12:09:39 PM
Quote from: Unicorn on May 08, 2015, 05:47:59 AM
I want one! Lol, I'm kind of late amn't I?
No. There are still some available if you want one ;)
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 08, 2015, 12:10:37 PM
Quote from: Cumred_Snektron on May 08, 2015, 08:42:58 AM
Quote from: Strontium on May 08, 2015, 04:02:34 AM
Quote from: DarkestEx on May 05, 2015, 08:21:51 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 05, 2015, 08:19:37 PM
Well it is kind of good they aren't making them it will give me one more selling point for me to get one [emoji14]
Sounds great :)
If you buy one, I will help you to get it running if you want. I can also compile you nearly any Linux util you need in case it is not  already available.

Compiling things on linux is pretty much always just a case of typing "sudo make install".
and getting 100s of errors? [emoji14] At least thats what happens when i try it <_<
Yes. That's why I said, that I will help to get the stuff compiling. Compiling other's stuff sucks.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Unicorn on May 08, 2015, 04:07:37 PM
Double post much?

I can't really get one anywyas since I just bought my computer.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 12, 2015, 12:58:48 PM
To be honest, I'm kinda more interested in CHIP now, although it's more Raspberry style than ZipIt Z2 in the way it lacks an actual case: The $9 computer, which, if it comes to fruition, should run at 1 GHz, have 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB storage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-worlds-first-9-computer/video_share . I'm unsure what OS it runs, though.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Snektron on May 12, 2015, 01:12:35 PM
Looks cool, and probably Linux :P. Anyway i don't even really use my RPI atm, so i probably wouldn't really do much with it  :-\
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 12, 2015, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on May 12, 2015, 12:58:48 PM
To be honest, I'm kinda more interested in CHIP now, although it's more Raspberry style than ZipIt Z2 in the way it lacks an actual case: The $9 computer, which, if it comes to fruition, should run at 1 GHz, have 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB storage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-worlds-first-9-computer/video_share . I'm unsure what OS it runs, though.
Nah, it looks kinda lame to me.
Just another linux powered single board computer :P

The fun thing about the ZipIt is the hacking aspect, the fact that it is not perfect and it makes alot more fun to use it than another tiny module computer which needs another two modules to be somewhat usefull.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Ivoah on May 12, 2015, 04:28:17 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on May 12, 2015, 12:58:48 PM
To be honest, I'm kinda more interested in CHIP now, although it's more Raspberry style than ZipIt Z2 in the way it lacks an actual case: The $9 computer, which, if it comes to fruition, should run at 1 GHz, have 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB storage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-worlds-first-9-computer/video_share . I'm unsure what OS it runs, though.

I wonder if CHIP-8 will be compiled to run on CHIP :D Anywhoo, I purchased one for my brother, I made a deal with him that if he bought an Arduino/RasPi/other and learned to program it, I'd pitch in $10, which in this case covered the entire computer, so he payed shipping.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 13, 2015, 02:07:55 AM
Where you got it from ran out on the 8th :( I will wait I guess...
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 13, 2015, 05:11:00 AM
Does this have hardware acceleration by the way?
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 13, 2015, 09:21:06 AM
Quote from: alexgt on May 13, 2015, 02:07:55 AM
Where you got it from ran out on the 8th :( I will wait I guess...
Hmm. OK. Hopefully it will be in stock again soon!
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: alexgt on May 13, 2015, 08:00:35 PM
If they are i think I can get one :)
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: DarkestEx on May 13, 2015, 08:26:50 PM
Quote from: alexgt on May 13, 2015, 08:00:35 PM
If they are i think I can get one :)
That sounds great. Don't forget to preorder one ;)
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: novenary on May 14, 2015, 10:06:04 AM
DJ it looks like it does. I mean, it runs 3d games. :P
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 14, 2015, 04:27:40 PM
Quote from: Streetwalrus on May 14, 2015, 10:06:04 AM
DJ it looks like it does. I mean, it runs 3d games. :P
I was more wondering because someone mentionned that browsing websites was very slow on the RPi2 due to lack of hardware acceleration. Plus I remember that on my 2.93 GHz single-core computer in 2009 my browsers would freeze for 10 seconds while loading every Facebook pages and scrolling was atrociously slow. If I had such troubles opening websites on such computer, imagine how bad it will be on a 400 MHz computer with 32 MB of RAM, even moreso if it lacks hardware acceleration.
Title: Re: ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO
Post by: novenary on May 14, 2015, 04:39:09 PM
That was me. And yeah, the rpi2 still lacks the drivers for that. It has full opengl support so the gpu is usable but the gui doesn't rely on opengl directly so it uses the cpu. <_<