Does it need binary blobs? Would be a shame such a device becoma frozen in time because one can't update it.
A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
41–50 of 408 posts
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#42One comparable here is the Raspberry Pi 400 at $70. That doesn't have a screen but has a lot more CPU, etc.
Doesn't have a battery either, although there's room in the case for one or two flat cells from a laptop pack plus a charge controller.
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#43This is nice. This is a simple, straightforward design, and a reasonably convenient form factor. Two biggest limitations are RAM and wireless interfaces, or rather lack thereof. This thing has less RAM than my router (admittedly a $70 box), and has neither WiFi nor BT. It does not seem to have many GPIO pins, too. With the amount of RAM installed, it's mostly a handheld terminal, and maybe a handheld console with emu…
I would imagine at $30 it would have to compete with other devices already built
Which devices?
Unlike an RPi, this thing has a screen, a keyboard, a sleek case, a battery compartment. What are other devices that have these all, and cost, say, under $40?
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#44Earlier quoted context omitted.
As long as wifi over USB is supported, why overcomplicate the core hardware? Sell a dongle as an add on option and make a little profit from it.
Completely an aside: USB dongles piss me off; specifically the Logitech Mouse USB dongles: Why the heck hasnt a single manufacturer included the USB Dongle radio IN the mobo? So with slim laptops you have few USB ports. I currently am typing this on an HP Omen flagship gaming laptop... It has ONE USB-C port, which is under-powered (I have a USB-C Hub, that requires an external USB-C Power source... so I have to plug…
> Why the heck hasnt a single manufacturer included the USB Dongle radio IN the mobo?
USB radio dongles are not standardized, that's what Bluetooth is for. (There used to be a Wireless USB standard but it was never widely adopted, and it has fallen out of use altogether.)
There are USB-C power bricks that also work as hubs, so you're not wasting your only USB-C port.
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#45Important to note that the quoted $15 doesn't include shipping, assembly, tax or any other costs.
For the same actual cost I'd go on EBay/Craigslist/FB Marketplace and buy an unlimited number of old computers with 1000x the specs of this one that are going to be otherwise placed into a landfill.
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#46> I’m changing the title of this page just to screw with mods on the orange website Loving it! What orange website could they be talking about? I wonder what would be achievable, around the $15 mark WITHOUT needing a minimum order of 1000? (Presuming access to a 3d printer and a reasonably cheap PCB fab company)
What was the title previously? I'm not sure I understand the significance of the current title.
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#47Important to note that the quoted $15 doesn't include shipping, assembly, tax or any other costs. For the same actual cost I'd go on EBay/Craigslist/FB Marketplace and buy an unlimited number of old computers with 1000x the specs of this one that are going to be otherwise placed into a landfill.
And then carry those old computers around in your pocket?
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#48> I’m changing the title of this page just to screw with mods on the orange website Loving it! What orange website could they be talking about? I wonder what would be achievable, around the $15 mark WITHOUT needing a minimum order of 1000? (Presuming access to a 3d printer and a reasonably cheap PCB fab company)
> Loving it! What orange website could they be talking about? In case that's a serious question: what website has an orange theme, and an aggressively enforced rule against editorialising submission titles?
well yeah, but why would they want to block out the "orange website"?
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would imagine at $30 it would have to compete with other devices already built
Which devices? Unlike an RPi, this thing has a screen, a keyboard, a sleek case, a battery compartment. What are other devices that have these all, and cost, say, under $40?
$15 is BOM cost, so ~$30 after assembly and ~$60 including margin for manufacturers and resellers. I don't know of anything that has both screen and keyboard at that price, but the $45 M5Stack has a screen and the $70 Raspberry Pi 400 has a keyboard.
Re: A Minimum Viable Computer, or Linux for $15
#50This is nice. This is a simple, straightforward design, and a reasonably convenient form factor. Two biggest limitations are RAM and wireless interfaces, or rather lack thereof. This thing has less RAM than my router (admittedly a $70 box), and has neither WiFi nor BT. It does not seem to have many GPIO pins, too. With the amount of RAM installed, it's mostly a handheld terminal, and maybe a handheld console with emu…
> neither WiFi nor BT
I understand having WiFi, it'd be great for a small device like this. But why would we need Bluetooth? It only has 32MB of RAM so I doubt you could get any music running on it.