Submitted by
Users who Dugg This
Lance Ulanoff
4942 Followers
Yummy Donut
3189 Followers
1KrazyKorean
13257 Followers
Russ Smith
18390 Followers
Scott Maddox
80 Followers
Skateboarding
6163 Followers
MediaSight
13125 Followers
Mike Mehta (Back in action)
1631 Followers
alsazenMay 6, 2011
This is very cool!
Now, I'm not interested in being able to carry a computer around in my pocket (probably won't be long until my phone has an HDMI output...), however imagine having a few of these as plug in expansions on your desktop/laptop PC.
They could be running additional calculations, or providing additional visual output, a few examples that come to mind are:
- in gaming, providing maps/stats or other relevant info to a second screen (would imagine that nothing really stops it being plugged into a PS3 or Xbox360) all without having a framerate hit on the main display
- in software development, I could have Visual Studio feeding debug information to the device while I have my app running on my main displays
fryserMay 7, 2011
It's called a smartphone.
barugaaraMay 7, 2011
I don't think your smartphone costs you $15 without a contract.
fryserMay 7, 2011
With a HD screen, WIFI, BT, Vibro, Battery, etc... I'd say about 80$ to built; 300$ to sale.
thechauvinistMay 7, 2011
The HTC EVO 4G has an HDMI out.
effyochickenMay 7, 2011
Your comment is rated +0/-0.... How is that even possible? o.O
myztryMay 6, 2011
Ian Bell & David Braben are old skool legends even if they aren't the friends they once were.
Anyway, aside from the obvious inline use, TV manufacturers should be either integrating or providing modular plugin points for such devices in flat screens.
For $25 extra all screens could be computing devices and also provide additional resources to the miniature computer via USB based virtual devices.
And if the computer part is too slow, then you replace the modular part with a current gen $25 device or upgrade to a $50 one.
Closed AccountMay 6, 2011
It's very cool, but the HDMI is a big catch here unless you're willing to wait a few years (sorta like before playing Elite). Pretty much any HDMI enabled device will run you more then a functional computer (I have a roughly equivalent laptop beside my bed I bought for $30 with an added $10 for a flashdrive for reading books on) and if you have an HDMI device but not a PC right now, you're just plain weird.
biglouMay 6, 2011
Then buy an HDMI/DVI adapter...
JohnW29May 5, 2011
Amazing... It reminds me of the movie "The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest", where a guy had to build a computer that costs less than $100. Well, this guy did it for $25 !! Amazing
novaluxMay 6, 2011
How does network access work? What good is having Ubuntu without network access? I'd argue what good is any computer without net access now? Its a toy or typewriter.
pasty745May 6, 2011
I agree that the immediate lack of network access sucks. But you are thinking about it from the point of having network access being easy (in many cases). This is aimed at places where the kids (or whomever is using it) most likely doesn't have internet. There are adapters that can be used to get networking up and running if you need/want it. It may mean buying something else, but the point of the device seems to be mostly about being a starting point for getting kids interested in computers. While at the same time being very very cheap. The same goes for everyone that keeps talking about HDMI being on it, but there are adapters that can be used to make it work on pretty much everything else. Again, it does mean having to get other parts that also cost money, but it seems that keeping cost of the unit by itself as low as possible ($25 is impressive for what it is/will be). You said "it's a toy or typewriter, it is in many ways a toy, but a toy that may lead to more kids wanting to learn about computers/programming. Personally, I would buy one to play with (be a toy) anyway.
TL;DR: It seems that a lot of people that bash/put down this system are coming at it from the point of it being the same as a normal system.
I know you didn't say anything about video stuff in your post. But I just didn't feel like making multiple posts on the page.
biglouMay 6, 2011
Why couldn't you get network access over USB? Seems pretty simple to me.
goweigusMay 6, 2011
You do know computers were around for quite a while before they had net access right? And they can do things without a network connection besides word documents and solitaire?
In fact in a lot of the military you wouldn't even want a network connection, too risky!
johnnyboi1016May 10, 2011
.
phillaholicMay 9, 2011
They should really introduce a process like One Laptop Per Child. I wouldn't mind paying $50 to get one myself if one could be sent to a child who couldn't afford one.
langfordMay 7, 2011
Somebody should make a point of making a bunch of games optomised for this nifty little thing.
kmcgowanMay 7, 2011
Angry penguins
link470May 7, 2011
Very cool, this has some serious potential as embedded computer technology or to be used in a variety of applications and terminals. Talk about thin client...crazy. I'd love to try one!
crunnellsMay 6, 2011
Speaking of RollerCoaster Tycoon, when are we going to see an updated version?
mattbdMay 6, 2011
Sounds pretty damn awesome - I'd probably buy a few of them at that price!
Can't help wishing that David Braben would release a new, modern Elite game though - I would LOVE to see a modern version of Elite. I've tried quite a few games of that genre and none of them ever seem to have been up to scratch.
biglouMay 6, 2011
Pretty badass. I wouldn't mind keeping a PC in my pocket in case I needed a portable desktop solution.
cyclops69May 6, 2011
As an ex-ICT teacher I really admire what this guy has done. I was teaching kids programming on Vic 20s and Apple IIs when these cost hundreds of dollars in the 1980s..
kgermMay 6, 2011
i can wait till i can play with some of these
shinkouMay 6, 2011
Want!
nunogrochaMay 6, 2011
Holy s**t, people who can't afford computers could now give use to this device, my jaw is all over the floor.
ruroboticyetMay 6, 2011
"free" depends on how much you are willing to bet the farm your operating costs do not kill your distribution campaign... meh.