CHIP: computer for $ 9. After attaching the casing is changing … – Gadzeto Mania

The $ 9 seems to be – in the case of computers – the amount of ridiculously small, but the authors of equipment called CHIP They are proving that it is possible for this amount to build a full-fledged computer. What’s more, in a simple way change it in the PDA.

How small can a computer?

You’ve seen how it looks inside the new MacBook? Almost all the space under the housing was allocated to the battery and other electronic components tucked in a small space , located under the top of the keyboard.

For the naysayers, of course, a reason to hejtu and malicious comments, but the following image well illustrates can be miniaturized as contemporary electronics . And although the equipment for the most demanding users is quite different, it is most successfully enough computing power, dormant in miniature systems, propelling our smartphones, tablets or even computers.

Not only the Raspberry Pi

A few years ago Raspberry Pi seemed an exciting example of how small can be a full-fledged computer to which simply connect several peripherals to be able to them work, use the media or even play very challenging game.

Since then, the market appeared many similar solutions , including the Raspberry Pi 2 B or HummingBoard, and the computer housed in a pendrive ‘ ie no longer unusual. Surprise, do not raise the size of the new, miniature computer called CHIP, whose creators have started a collection for Kickstarterze.

CHIP – computer with $ 9

CHIP It stands out not only small size, but above all price. The equipment, which – with all conventionality – can be called a full-fledged computer has priced at just $ 9 . What does it offer?

The device is equipped with a Allwinner A13 single core ARM Cortex A8 clocked at 1 GHz and a Mali 400 graphics , 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of internal memory and USB 2.0, microUSB 2.0 and a jack, allowing you to transfer video and audio. Responsible for communication Bluetooth modules 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n, and the whole works under the modified equipment for the needs of the Debian distribution.

What’s more, the device can be extended with optional VGA and HDMI outputs, allowing you to connect CHIP- and without the need for adapters.

A very interesting option seems to be too appetizer called PocketC.HIP This type of enclosure, equipped with a miniature QWERTY keyboard, 4.3-inch touch screen with a resolution of 470 x 272 pixels and battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. Just add to it CHIP to get fairly Spartan, but acting handheld.

Competitor for Raspberry Pi?

It should be stressed that the 9-dollar price applies to the basic version of CHIP . If you need video outputs, for a version of them we pay 19 (VGA) and 24 (HDMI) dollars, and a set of PocketCHIP-em costing as much as $ 49. For $ 19 you can also order CHIP without housing, but in a portable version, with an extra battery.

In spite of this equipment appears to be a very interesting proposition. On the one hand, it can be used when connecting peripherals as ultratani computer for editing documents , browse the Internet or simple games.

On the other – and this application it seems to me much more interesting – it seems interesting platform for hobbyists and tinkerers , who with the use of such equipment can create low cost various devices, home media servers or eg. the elements included in the intelligent home – is limited in this case, as with the Raspberry Pi, only the imagination, because the cost of $ 9 makes the price rather is no longer a barrier.

It should be noted that the campaign for Kickstarterze met with a very enthusiastic response. Instead of the planned 50 thousand. dollars collected nearly 700 thous., and by the end of the collection there is still 26 days. The first devices to be delivered to buyers in December 2015 years .