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CHIP (computer)

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This article is about the single-board computer. For other uses, see Chip.
CHIP
Release dateMay 31, 2016[1]
Introductory priceUS$9[2]
Operating systemLinux (Debian)[3][4]
CPU1 GHz R8M/R8[5]
Memory512 MB DDR3 SDRAM[3]
Storage4 GB onboard[3]
Power5 V DC >500 mA, wired or optional battery[6]

CHIP (stylized as C.H.I.P.) is a personal single-board computer created by Next Thing Co. (NTC), released on Kickstarter.[7] It is advertised as "the world's first $9 computer".

Milestones

Initially launched via a successful Kickstarter campaign in May 2015. The campaign started with a goal of US$50,000, ended with 39,560 backers pledging US$2,071,927.

Next Thing began shipping alpha boards to "Kernel Hacker" backers in September 25, 2015.[8] First customer ship (for Kickstarter backers) began by May 31, 2016.[1][9] Pre-order has opened since December 2015.[10] Pre-order for the original CHIP has been stopped since April 4, 2017 as the line is discontinued.[11]

Next Thing Co. Insolvency

By March 2018, Next Thing Co. has entered insolvency while many customers still haven't received their pre-orders.[12]

Models

CHIP Board, front face
CHIP board, front side.

A few months after Next Thing released the original CHIP board, it announced that it would release a SiP board called CHIP Pro, targeting industrial and mass production.[13] By April 2017, the company has announced discontinuation of the original CHIP in anticipation of a replacement based on the same SiP as used in CHIP Pro.[11]

CHIP

C.H.I.P Board, back face
CHIP board, rear side.

Now-discontinued CHIP is the original board, mostly targeting hobbyists. The system is built around the SoC processor R8 from AllWinner as its core, which integrates an ARM Cortex-A8 CPU (based on ARM architecture V7-A) and peripherals, such as Graphic Engine, UART, SPI, USB ports, CIR, CMOS Sensor Interface and LCD controller.[14] The CPU is also accompanied with NEON SIMD coprocessor and has RCT JAVA-Accelerations to optimize just-in-time (JIT) and dynamic adaptive compilation (DAC).

Features implemented on this model:

The CHIP is 60 mm × 40 mm in size.[19]

CHIP Pro

CHIP Pro is similar to the original CHIP board, but uses the newer version of the chip called GR8. It is a system in package (SiP) that is made by Next Thing Co. It features a 1 GHz Allwinner R8 ARMv7 Cortex-A8 processor with NEON SIMD extensions and a Mali-400 GPU. 256 MB of Nanya DDR3 SDRAM is combined with the R8 SoC into a 14 mm × 14 mm, 0.8 mm-pitch 252-ball FBGA package, simplifying the routing of connections. Instead of having two dual-line 40-pin sockets as on CHIP, it implements castellated edges where the pin holes are designed and optimized to embed to another board with SMT.[13] Most of the CHIP's hardware features are also included in this model.

CHIP "v2" is not to be

Few details were available in regard to CHIP's successor or successors except it would have used Next Thing's own SiP GR8 instead of Allwinner's original R8. In addition to feature sharing with CHIP Pro, the company wanted to "take advantage of CHIP Pro's much more stable supply chain"[11] in order to address the uneasiness in its user base about the future of the product.[20] In responding to user concerns, Next Thing also disclosed that more than one successor product lines are in the works.[21]

As Next Thing Co. goes into insolvency with its assets and intellectual properties being sold[12], release of "v2" is improbable.

Hardware extensions

In addition to open-source hardware and software, Next Thing also publishes an HPI and an API for users to develop add-ons boards called "DIP" [22] The company produces several DIPs including the Pocket CHIP.

Pocket CHIP and Pockulus

Pocket CHIP includes a CHIP, a case with a 4.3 inch 480×272 pixel resistive touchscreen, a clicky keyboard, GPIO headers on the top of the device, and GPIO soldering pads inside of the injection mold case. A 5-hour battery is included. Following DIP specifications, the CHIP snaps into the case with no "screws or glues" creating a portable computer. On the lower right corner of the Pocket CHIP is a hexagonal hole that takes a standard #2 HB pencil. Inserting the pencil creates a stand that allows the Pocket CHIP to stand upright on a desk. Likewise, on the lower left is a circular hole for a pen.

PocketCHIP comes loaded with a special edition of CHIP OS that includes the DIP's driver and a couple of additional applications like a special version of Pico-8, Lexaloffle's fantasy console for 8-bit-style games that allows it to function as a game console, a fully functional Linux terminal, a file browser, a terminal based web browser called surf, and Sunvox.

The Pockulus is a virtual reality setup incorporating a Pocket CH.I.P. that requires some 3D printing.

Other DIPs from Next Thing

For users who do not want to use the small screen in Pocket CHIP and also do not want to use the built-in composite TV output, they can buy a VGA DIP[23] or an HDMI DIP[24] from Next Thing. Unlike Pocket CHIP, physical dimensions of these DIPs are similar to CHIP, so the snapped assembly looks like a thicker CHIP.

Reception and use

CHIP received favorable reviews, and constant comparisons to Raspberry Pi. Laura Sydell of NPR asked if the device could "spark a new wave of tinkering and innovation", noting it was also open source.[25] Marco della Cava of USA Today said that the device "represent[s] opportunities to both close the technology gap in developing and developed countries alike, while encouraging children to learn coding, due to their approachable design".[26]

Reviewers also noted its low price. Bo Moore of PC Gamer said the price of CHIP "[puts] Raspberry Pi 2 to shame",[27] and Ian Paul of PCWorld said it made "Raspberry Pi's price seem luxurious".[28]

References

  1. ^ a b Next Thing (May 31, 2015). "HOLY C.H.I.P.!!! Final Kickstarter Fulfillment Has Begun!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  2. ^ Biggs, John (May 8, 2015). "The CHIP Is A $9 Computer That Can Almost Do It All". TechCrunch. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e Raymond Wong (May 7, 2016). "C.H.I.P. — the super tiny computer that only costs $9". Mashable.com. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "$9 Debian-Based C.H.I.P. Computer Is a Kickstarter Smash | Developers". LinuxInsider. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  5. ^ Scheltema, David (July 22, 2015). "With Linux and Creative Commons, The $9 CHIP Computer Reveals Its Open Source Details". Make. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  6. ^ Next Thing. "CHIP - The World's First Nine Dollar Computer". Kickstarter. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  7. ^ John Patrick Pullen (May 14, 2015). "C.H.I.P Could Be the World's Cheapest Computer". Time. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  8. ^ Next Thing (November 24, 2015). "Holy Ship! Alpha Ships Have C.H.I.P.ped!!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  9. ^ Jones, Brad (September 25, 2015). "Computer and change for a $10 bill: First units of $9 computer are shipping now". Digital Trends. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  10. ^ Next Thing (November 30, 2015). "The Clear Case for C.H.I.P. (also pre-orders are open)". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c Next Thing (April 4, 2017). "Backorders Start Shipping April 15th & GR8 News!". Next Thing BBS. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  12. ^ a b As of April 20, 2018, the user community has received definitive information that "Next Thing Co. has executed a General Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors on March 16, 2018" with an insolvency service company that is selling its assets and intellectual properties."Reports about Insolvency true?". 20 Apr 2018. Retrieved 24 Apr 2018.
  13. ^ a b Co., Next Thing. "Get C.H.I.P. and C.H.I.P. Pro - The Smarter Way to Build Smart Things". getchip.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  14. ^ "NextThingCo/CHIP-Hardware" (PDF). GitHub. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  15. ^ Next Thing. "Open Source Hardware: Where To Get It". Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  16. ^ David Scheltema (November 28, 2015). "C.H.I.P. vs Pi Zero: Which Sub-$10 Computer Is Better?". Make. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  17. ^ Next Thing. "CHIP OS 4.4 Released [VGA, HDMI, and more!]". Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  18. ^ Next Thing. "Flash C.H.I.P. from your Web Browser - So Shiny! So Chrome!". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  19. ^ JeGX. "CHIP : a $9 Computer with an OpenGL ES 2.0 GPU – Geeks3D". geeks3d.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  20. ^ (Various). "My feelings about the CHIP". Next Thing BBS. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  21. ^ Next Thing. "We Hear You! Here's a Quick Hardware Update". Next Thing BBS. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  22. ^ Next Thing. "DIP Specifications". Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  23. ^ Next Thing. "VGA DIP". Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  24. ^ Next Thing. "HDMI DIP". Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  25. ^ Sydell, Laura (January 21, 2016). "Can A $9 Computer Spark A New Wave Of Tinkering And Innovation?". NPR. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  26. ^ Marco della Cava (May 11, 2015). "$9 computer killing it on Kickstarter". USA Today. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  27. ^ Moore, Bo (May 11, 2015). "C.H.I.P. is a super-small, $9 Kickstarter computer". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  28. ^ Paul, Ian (May 11, 2015). "Meet Chip, an ultra-tiny $9 PC that makes the Raspberry Pi's price seem luxurious". PCWorld. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
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