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$9 Open Source Computer Blows Past Crowdfunding Goal

Posted by Soulskill on from the computer-chips-soon-to-be-cheaper-than-potato-chips dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A team of engineers and artists has launched a Kickstarter campaign for C.H.I.P., a small computer that costs $9. The campaign met and far exceeded its $50,000 goal on the first day. The device runs an R8 ARM CPU clocked at 1 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and runs a version of Debian. The price was enabled by two things: super-cheap Chinese tablets pushing down processor costs, and support from manufacturer Allwinner to make it even cheaper. The team is also building breakout boards for VGA and HDMI connections, as well as one with a tiny LCD screen, keyboard, and battery. Importantly, "all hardware design files schematic, PCB layout and bill of materials are free for you the community to download, modify and use."

7 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Not $9 by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 5, Funny

    $9 is too much. 7's the key number here. Think about it. 7-Elevens. 7 dwarves. 7, man, that's the number. 7 chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch. You know that old children's tale from the sea. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby. Step into my office.

    1. Re:Not $9 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      It is $7 Canadian.

    2. Re:Not $9 by OzPeter · · Score: 5, Funny

      $9 is too much.

      It would have been cheaper, but (as per TFA) it

      runs a flavor of Debain* Linux

      So they had to up the hardware specs in order to support Systemd

      * Although they may have been better off spending that extra money on a proof reader.

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  2. Re:no $8 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I agree that 8 is better. It's like infinity taking a nap.

  3. Lame. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Has wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame.

  4. Re:How reliable is it? by ArcadeMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tell me about it. A few months ago I bought a cheap USB drive that was so bad, I lost my data before copying it to the drive.

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  5. 9 rings by electrosoccertux · · Score: 4, Funny

    actually no

    7 were for dwarf lords in their halls of stone
    this $9 is for mortal men doomed to die
    in the land of silicon where transistors lie