Skip to main content

Computer and change for a $10 bill: First units of $9 computer are shipping now

Earlier this year, the Chip computer made plenty of headlines following its massive success on Kickstarter, raising some $2 million beyond a pledge goal of just $50,000. Now, the first run of devices is beginning to be distributed to backers.

Like many crowdfunding success stories, the Chip has a unique selling point that differentiates it from previously existing products. In this case, it’s the fact that the computer itself costs just $9 — although, of course, things like a monitor, an input device, and shipping are not included in that figure.

Still, it’s a fully functioning computer that can be had for less than the price of a movie ticket. The device offers support for the open source LibreOffice package, has a Wi-Fi connection so you can surf the web, and even allows for a Bluetooth controller to be connected so you can play some games.

This is a real computer, it’s just a smaller and cheaper model than most others. It’s an intriguing look at a future where the price barrier for computers has truly been removed, and the fact that almost 40,000 people backed the project suggests that there’s plenty of interest in such an idea.

The devices shipping at the moment are Alpha prototypes which are targeted at enthusiast hackers, according to a report from Liliputing. The Chip appeals to this crowd in much the same way an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi would, but it’s also been designed such that it could be used in an educational setting, or as a light system to introduce novice users to computing.

The standard version of the Chip is anticipated to start shipping early next year. The group behind the project is currently focusing on fulfilling the devices ordered as part of the Kickstarter campaign, but the system will be available for purchase directly at a later date via the Next Thing Co. website.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
What is an RSS feed? Here’s why you should still use one
A person using a HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 15.6-inch Touch-Screen Laptop sitting on a bed.

With so much new content on the web added daily, it can be tough to keep up with what's happening online. People try several different ways, including visiting specific websites every day, doing Google searches, or relying on social media to keep them informed. One solution that sometimes gets overlooked is an old-school one: The RSS feed.

What is an RSS feed? It's a technology that has influenced many modern internet tools you're familiar with, and its streamlined, algorithm-free format could make it your next great tool for reading what you want online.
What is RSS?

Read more
Best laptop deals: Save on HP, Lenovo, Dell and Apple
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 playing Cyberpunk 2077.

Buying a new laptop can be very daunting, especially with how saturated the market is with dozens of options from nearly a dozen brands and various configurations of each of those laptops. Even worse is trying to navigate the maze of available laptop deals across various retailers, and for those who don't want to do all that legwork, you're in luck! We've used our experience to collect the best deals in various categories to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. All you need to do is have a general sense of what specs or brand you want, and we'll likely have a deal for it listed below.

Best Laptop Deals

Read more
M2 MacBook Air vs. M1 MacBook Air: things have changed
A man holds the new Macbook Air (2022) in his hands.

The Apple MacBook Air M1 has been among our favorite MacBooks for some time now, and it's even held a place on our list of the best laptops overall. The new MacBook Air M2 is a significant redesign, bringing with it a new chassis and Apple's latest M2 processor.

Sometimes, it's easy to recommend the new model over the old one, especially when the new model brings significant improvements. The M2 MacBook Air qualifies, as it feels a lot more like a completely new model than a simple replacement of the old one. While Apple continues to sell the original M1 MacBook Air at a lower price, the M2 MacBook Air can often be had for only a little more money. That makes the choice between them a lot easier.
Specs
 

Read more