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General => Tech, Science, IT discussion & News => Topic started by: SiphonicSugar on May 15, 2016, 10:01:11 PM

Title: Dream Calculator/Crappy Portable Computer
Post by: SiphonicSugar on May 15, 2016, 10:01:11 PM
Well hello everyone! After endlessly staring at the Dream Calculator Topic for a while (http://codewalr.us/814 (http://codewalr.us/814)), I thought, "MAN! Some of the calculators seem pretty crappy, but a lot of them seem really good!"

After that, I thought for a while, and came up with this: People rant all the time about limited functionality for TI calculators mostly, so why don't we knock out two birds with one stone? We (or probably just me) can compile together a list of specs from different dream calculators. Then this calculator will be made. Then build guides will be posted, and places that you can buy this calculator from. It would have maximum functionally and you would be able to do many things on it.

SO!!! (Sorry about the craziness) Here's what I ask of everyone on the forums who actually care:

Create a list in your post that gives the processing speed, ram amount, storage amount, GPU, type of storage (electronic, mechanical, etc), type of screen and size (monochrome or color), IO ports, internet or no internet, the name of this "dream calculator", and the price range. Please add any comments under your list.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Dream Calculator/Crappy Portable Computer
Post by: alexgt on May 16, 2016, 02:34:40 AM
Well, my dream calc would be a HP Prime plus a few features: Except it would also have a 3.5mm IO port, and a micro sd slot for more storage, internet capability and Bluetooth would be nice too. Also it would be great if HP PPL would let you control communication with linked devices also. Sadly all that would be 200-250 USD I am guessing <_<
Title: Re: Dream Calculator/Crappy Portable Computer
Post by: Dudeman313 on May 16, 2016, 02:46:13 AM
Immagonna ignore the rules of this thread to say this:

This is a great idea! Maybe someone could also use something like Autodesk's 123D Circuit making services to actually build the thing virtually before it's made physically? I know that one of Autodesk's services has Arduino  built into it...
Title: Re: Dream Calculator/Crappy Portable Computer
Post by: SiphonicSugar on May 16, 2016, 08:41:19 PM
Hmm... I haven't thought about that. I will look into it.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Dream Calculator/Crappy Portable Computer
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on May 24, 2016, 06:48:48 AM
Note that a new calc would be a big undertaking and none off the third-party calc project ever came to fruition, because people usually didn't realize the amount of work it was at first then gave up. But if you were gonna do a new calc, then I think it should have enough memory and a fast screen, but it's OK if the resolution and processor speed isn't as fast as the TI-Nspire CX and HP Prime, for the following reasons:

-Cost (it would be nice if the calc was as cheap as possible but still more powerful than the TI-84+CE)
-Most people code for the TI-84 Plus CE because it's fun to push old-school hardware to its limits and they like retro gaming. Those who prefer more powerful platforms usually go straight for smartphones or PCs then ignore the TI-Nspire CX or HP Prime

That said, if you go for a powerful calc, then you could always provide an old-school language like PICO-8 does with computers.

But yeah, such project would require a lot of planning, checking various sites for parts to ensure that they fit together, among other things. Then it's not guaranted to be allowed at school exams. So maybe it's better to revive Microcat or team up to revive it? I'm thinking something like the Gamebuino, but slightly larger and with larger RAM, screen and CPU, would be better.