Tag Archives: pocket pc

C.H.I.P, the cheapest computer ever

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CHIP PC

Are you looking for the fastest PC, able to run GTA 5 and Skyrim in 120 FPS? Because this is the exact opposite.  Meet C.H.I.P., a $9 USD computer that’s both the cheapest and smallest PC in the world.

After a very succesful crowsfunding campaing on Kickstarter a very interesting project surfaced from the minds of Next Thing Co. This is a mini PC with 3 ports, that retails for only $9 USD. C.H.I.P. (such is its name) is able to perform as a miniature computer, as long as the necessary peripherals are plugged into it – and just like the Raspberry Pi 2, it can be configured to perform almost any task, as it is an Open Source project.

C.H.I.P. sports a 1Ghz ARM processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB of storage – furthermore, it can also  connect to other gadgets and networks via Bluetooth and WiFi, as well as being fully compatible with Linux.

One of the quirks of this project is a little accesory called Pocket C.H.I.P., which makes it absolutely portable and gives the computer some 7 hours of autonomy. The first few devices are going to be distributed this May, and may indeed be the way of the future. At that price point, who can say no?

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Ben Heck’s BASIC Pocket PC: The Franken-Computer

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Ben Heck is well known as a modder extraordinaire, and this time he doesn’t let anyone down by cobbling together a pocket PC from an array of harvested parts, including a chatpad from an Xbox 360 controller.

ben heck pocket pc hack

The BASIC pocket PC uses the aforementioned chatpad, an Arduino Uno and a Hitachi LCD display. The handheld computer runs an appropriately tiny version of the BASIC programming language called TinyBASIC. Thanks to its built-in interface, this Franken-computer allows Ben to control real-world objects – for example, Heck uses it to control a servo-operated ghost on a pinball playing field.

Check out the full show where Heck shows you how he built the device and to see what it can do.

The whole thing is pretty neat, but you’ll need to brush up on your electronics skills if you want to be able to make one of these for yourself.

[via Ubergizmo]


Ben Heck fashions a pocket computer with an Xbox Chatpad and Arduino Uno

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Ben Heck fashions a pocket computer using an Xbox 360 Chatpad and an Arduino Uno

It's great to see Ben Heck focus his efforts of do-gooder projects like that foot-controlled wheelchair, but we'll always have a soft spot for the modfather's more nostalgic undertakings, like this BASIC pocket computer. Heck created the device for the latest episode of his web show, and if you're following along at home, you'll need the Chatpad from an Xbox 360 controller, an Arduino Uno and a LCD display -- a Hitachi HD 44780, in this case. The modder-turned-host is quick to point out that the project's purpose isn't solely nostalgic -- you can also use it to control real world objects, which in the Heck's case means a ghost on a pinball playfield. Check out a video of the invention in action after the break.

Continue reading Ben Heck fashions a pocket computer with an Xbox Chatpad and Arduino Uno

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Ben Heck fashions a pocket computer with an Xbox Chatpad and Arduino Uno originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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