ZipIt Z2 - Mini hackable Linux computer with LCD, Keyboard, Wifi and GPIO

u/Dream of Omnimaga 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).

u/DarkestEx 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.

u/alexgt 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

. I can make a

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?

u/DarkestEx 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.

u/alexgt May 05, 2015, 07:41:08 PM

Cool does it have an on-board editor?

u/DarkestEx 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.

u/DarkestEx May 05, 2015, 07:52:10 PM

Here are some more screenshots:

Fluxbox:

Dillio with Google:

Fluxbox again:

Screenshots are from here.

u/alexgt May 05, 2015, 07:57:01 PM

If I get one it will definitely be in my top 3 devices

Those screenies look awesome

I always liked pocket computers that is how I got into calculators and also my parents won't let me get a phone/ tablet

u/DarkestEx 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 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

Sauce is here.

u/alexgt 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.

u/DarkestEx 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.

u/alexgt 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

u/DarkestEx 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

u/alexgt 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

u/DarkestEx 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

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.