CodeWalrus

Development => Hardware => Topic started by: Ivoah on October 05, 2015, 03:13:50 AM

Title: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on October 05, 2015, 03:13:50 AM
Earlier this year I backed the C.H.I.P computer on kickstarter: http://kck.st/1H3QfZj
I initially got one for my little brother to learn to program/use linux, but then decided that I was so tiny and cheap that I needed one for myself too :D
I have a 320x240 LCD module that I use with my Pi, and hopefully will be able to get to work with the C.H.I.P.
I'd have a super tiny computer that would probably even be able to run PICO-8 (once/if zep releases a Pi version).
It has built-in WiFi, bluetooth, 4 GB flash, LiPo charging circuit, and more, all for just $9.
The kickstarter is already over, but you can pre-order one at their website: http://nextthing.co/
It's a shame that it won't be shipping until May :(
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 06:04:21 AM
With the lack of a GPU I assume that speed might be an issue, but I guess for small tasks that device could do the job well. I am still unsure since I need to save for Microcat (assuming it ever gets done, and no, I won't back any project on Kickstarter, because of what happened with Mighty No 9) and Super Mario Maker. I might get CHIP instead of the Raspberry Pi 2, though, since it's so cheap.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on October 05, 2015, 12:05:15 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 06:04:21 AM
With the lack of a GPU I assume that speed might be an issue, but I guess for small tasks that device could do the job well. I am still unsure since I need to save for Microcat (assuming it ever gets done, and no, I won't back any project on Kickstarter, because of what happened with Mighty No 9) and Super Mario Maker. I might get CHIP instead of the Raspberry Pi 2, though, since it's so cheap.

Why do you say it has no GPU?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 05:31:34 PM
I couldn't see any info about a GPU in C.H.I.P. And I remember people saying that just Internet Browsing was laggy due to it lacking a video card.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on October 05, 2015, 05:34:41 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 05:31:34 PM
I couldn't see any info about a GPU in C.H.I.P. And I remember people saying that just Internet Browsing was laggy due to it lacking a video card.

Where'd you find this info? AFAIK only a few people have their C.H.I.Ps, because only the people who pleged $150 for the super early alpha models have shipped.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: SiphonicSugar on October 05, 2015, 10:13:50 PM
I have already reserved a C.H.I.P., now all I have to do is buy one when I get the chance...

Also, I don't really think that you could do much on the internet without a GPU...

Does anyone know how to get the C.H.I.P. Portable?

And also, would you be able to get on Codewalr.us on it?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 01:24:13 AM
I'm fairly sure that browsing CodeWalrus would be possible on this device as long as it has a browser available. CodeWalrus might have troubles loading due to limited RAM, but you could simply browse the site in text-only mode: https://codewalr.us/index.php?wap2

As for reserving the C.H.I.P, I don't know much but I assume that if it's not ready for release that there will probably not be much of a release date for the time being. Maybe some people might know more?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on October 06, 2015, 02:30:19 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 01:24:13 AM
I'm fairly sure that browsing CodeWalrus would be possible on this device as long as it has a browser available. CodeWalrus might have troubles loading due to limited RAM, but you could simply browse the site in text-only mode: https://codewalr.us/index.php?wap2

As for reserving the C.H.I.P, I don't know much but I assume that if it's not ready for release that there will probably not be much of a release date for the time being. Maybe some people might know more?

512 MB seems like plenty to browse a relatively simple site like CW. Also, shipping date for kickstarter backers is May 2016
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 06:28:23 AM
Quote from: Ivoah on October 06, 2015, 02:30:19 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 01:24:13 AM
I'm fairly sure that browsing CodeWalrus would be possible on this device as long as it has a browser available. CodeWalrus might have troubles loading due to limited RAM, but you could simply browse the site in text-only mode: https://codewalr.us/index.php?wap2

As for reserving the C.H.I.P, I don't know much but I assume that if it's not ready for release that there will probably not be much of a release date for the time being. Maybe some people might know more?

512 MB seems like plenty to browse a relatively simple site like CW. Also, shipping date for kickstarter backers is May 2016
Not with WalrusIRC. My PSVita errors out when I login on CW (not enough RAM and it has 512)

I won't get it in May because I don't back Kickstarter projects anymore since the Mighty No 9 incident, in case they never get finished.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: brentmaas on October 06, 2015, 07:38:16 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 06:28:23 AM
I won't get it in May because I don't back Kickstarter projects anymore since the Mighty No 9 incident, in case they never get finished.
What's No 9?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: annoyingcalc on October 06, 2015, 09:32:19 PM
Getting one of these for sure!
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 07, 2015, 03:29:51 AM
Quote from: brentmaas on October 06, 2015, 07:38:16 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 06, 2015, 06:28:23 AM
I won't get it in May because I don't back Kickstarter projects anymore since the Mighty No 9 incident, in case they never get finished.
What's No 9?
Mighty No 9 is a 2D platformer heavily inspired by the original Mega Man games. Mega Man creator left Capcom a few years ago and was unhappy about the direction the Mega Man franchise was going, so he started his own indie game meant to bring back the original style, kinda.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: SiphonicSugar on October 08, 2015, 02:38:39 AM
And he never finished it?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on October 08, 2015, 03:37:54 AM
The company still plans to, except that the game and demo has been delayed repeatedly to the point it started making people doubt about the project.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: cheesehead544 on January 09, 2016, 09:55:14 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 06:04:21 AM
With the lack of a GPU I assume that speed might be an issue, but I guess for small tasks that device could do the job well. I am still unsure since I need to save for Microcat (assuming it ever gets done, and no, I won't back any project on Kickstarter, because of what happened with Mighty No 9) and Super Mario Maker. I might get CHIP instead of the Raspberry Pi 2, though, since it's so cheap.
wait... on the demo video it says you can watch youtube on it, but it has no gpu?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 09, 2016, 11:55:48 AM
I don't know. Either they didn't think while writing this, or Youtube just uses the CPU and RAM processing power and plays vids at low resolution. Calculators can actually play video files even without a graphic card.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on January 09, 2016, 04:54:21 PM
Quote from: cheesehead544 on January 09, 2016, 09:55:14 AM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on October 05, 2015, 06:04:21 AM
With the lack of a GPU I assume that speed might be an issue, but I guess for small tasks that device could do the job well. I am still unsure since I need to save for Microcat (assuming it ever gets done, and no, I won't back any project on Kickstarter, because of what happened with Mighty No 9) and Super Mario Maker. I might get CHIP instead of the Raspberry Pi 2, though, since it's so cheap.
wait... on the demo video it says you can watch youtube on it, but it has no gpu?

Where do they say it doesn't have a GPU?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: aetios on January 09, 2016, 04:59:59 PM
It probably has a GPU built into the processor.

(edit: a word)
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: c4ooo on January 09, 2016, 10:00:47 PM
I dont understand why people attempt to use miniture computers like the Raspberry pi to teach programming. Would a much more power full laptop not be sufficient ??? Its not like your computer will blow up if i mistype a command in html or java :(
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Ivoah on January 10, 2016, 12:57:37 AM
Quote from: c4ooo on January 09, 2016, 10:00:47 PM
I dont understand why people attempt to use miniture computers like the Raspberry pi to teach programming. Would a much more power full laptop not be sufficient ??? Its not like your computer will blow up if i mistype a command in html or java :(

Price. A $9 computer is much more affordable than a laptop. Also, once somebody get's the hang of programming a Pi or C.H.I.P. they can move straight on to hardware hacking without much more stuff.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: c4ooo on January 10, 2016, 12:59:36 AM
Well first of with a pi you need a keyboard monitor ect, and every one has a computer or two :P
Also unlike software writing, hardware hacking reqires extra money for parts and stuff.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 10, 2016, 09:30:25 AM
The total price in the end is way lower than a computer, tjough, when all you need is the power of an RPi or CHIP computer to program. Not everyone wants to make Crysis, you know.

Also laptops have an extremely high failure rate, so we have to rule them out as cheap alternative, leaving only desktops as an option (which also requires a monitor, keyboard and headphones.)
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: c4ooo on January 10, 2016, 09:20:05 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on January 10, 2016, 09:30:25 AM
The total price in the end is way lower than a computer, tjough, when all you need is the power of an RPi or CHIP computer to program. Not everyone wants to make Crysis, you know.

Also laptops have an extremely high failure rate, so we have to rule them out as cheap alternative, leaving only desktops as an option (which also requires a monitor, keyboard and headphones.)
/me points at his ancient computer, then runs.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 10, 2016, 10:17:24 PM
The CHIP is brand new, though
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: c4ooo on January 10, 2016, 10:35:50 PM
What i meant is that i have an old laptop that still works ;)
But yea, i dont really have many reasons to back my opinion :/
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 10, 2016, 10:49:36 PM
Oh ok. I heard that old ones tend to last longer, though, like most electronics. Stuff is just so small and fragile now, plus laptops overheat much more easily.
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Araidia on January 10, 2016, 11:14:26 PM
If you get $1000 worth of CHIPs and combine them together, would you get a supercomputer? Or is that not possible?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: c4ooo on January 10, 2016, 11:15:57 PM
Then you get a cheeper version of this:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/build-your-own-supercomputer-out-of-raspberry-pi-boards/
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 11, 2016, 07:03:49 AM
I always wondered if such supercomputer would be performant enough. Would there be any speed bottleneck anywhere due to having to distribute RAM usage among multiple computers, for example? People often joke about how ticalc.org runs on a TI-81 cluster. :P
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: rwill on January 15, 2016, 08:52:10 AM
It says one their page it has this:
www.allwinnertech.com/en/clq/R_series/2015/0514/R8.html (http://www.allwinnertech.com/en/clq/R_series/2015/0514/R8.html)
Of course it has a GPU, youd think theyll let your browse Facebook over some terminal in Lynx ?
Title: Re: CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer by Next Thing Co.
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on January 15, 2016, 05:11:06 PM
We never know. Some developers might try to cater to people who wants a cheap computer to program on rather than for posting hundreds of selfies per hour on social networks.