5 ms·
If you want to hand solder a Linux SoC into a hobbyist project it's generally a whole lot easier and cheaper to stick some headers on and piggyback a $5 Pi Zero
by opencl 8y ago
If you want to hand solder a Linux SoC into a hobbyist project it's generally a whole lot easier and cheaper to stick some headers on and piggyback a $5 Pi Zero or similar board.
Board layout for one of these things and the associated DRAM etc. is not exactly a trivial task either. I really don't think that the sort of person who can't be bothered to set up a toaster oven for reflow soldering is going to be able to make a functioning board using this chip.
- pjc50 8y agoAlso, none of these webpages mention where to get it and it's not on the really common distributor websites (Digikey, Mouser).
- mbreese 8y agoFor many of these small (cheap) chips that aren't at common distributors, you're probably looking here: https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-allwinner-a13.html https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-allwinner-a13.html
- dchest 8y agoOlimex, whose board is mentioned, sells them https://www.olimex.com/Products/Components/IC/A13/ https://www.olimex.com/Products/Components/IC/A13/ (for 3 EUR, ships from Bulgaria)
- mario0b1 8y agodespite being unable to disagree with you there still might be a few hardcore hobbyist hackers outside who still want to get such a task done just for the sake of it. As long as it makes fun, right? You don't always have to achieve useful stuff. Also getting something like this done might not even be useless. It trains a lot of skills nevertheless. PS: Don't take hackaday articles too serious, there are some really really talented people among that community and it is always great to see if someone gets some really great (over)engineering done.
- gh02t 8y agoYou also have to remember, Hackaday is a mixture of true amateurs and semi-pro "hobbyists". People in the latter category would probably be more interested in and capable of designing a fully custom SBC for whatever project they have in mind.