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One option is to get one of the many OpenWRT compatible routers -- something like 80% of them will run on a MIPS CPU (though the trend is starting to switch to

One option is to get one of the many OpenWRT compatible routers -- something like 80% of them will run on a MIPS CPU (though the trend is starting to switch to ARM for more recent platforms). That's how I got started with MIPS development several years ago. Or if you want to go less standard (e.g. won't run Linux), get a modded PlayStation 1 :-)

jchw 7y ago
Hey, technically, a stock PS2 can run Linux, and that’s still MIPS. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_PlayStation_2 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_PlayStation_2
- ZirconiumX 7y ago
  But modding a PS2 only requires a memory card with FreeMcBoot on it (it's literally plug and play), and at that point you might as well use an updated version of Linux like frno7's.
  - jchw 7y ago
    This is true. I am mostly pointing out PS2 Linux as an interesting footnote, though it is probably a good argument that PS2 + FreeMcBoot is a better option than modchipped PS1 for MIPS computing.
ajxs 7y ago
I've thought about the router suggestion! The PlayStation idea is a great one I didn't think of! It looks like there's a great variety of devices running with MIPS CPUs. I was more specifically looking for a system capable of more traditional computing, but I definitely plan to take a look at smaller scale MIPS devices. How do you find embedded development for MIPS compared to ARM and RISC-V? I'm interested after hearing from people that it's a much better architecture, though I can't validate that for myself yet.
- ZirconiumX 7y ago
  With the PlayStation 2 you can run Linux on MIPS[1], though it's a highly nonstandard MIPS; you'll need to get a memory card with FreeMcBoot. Plus, even if you plan to do embedded development, the PS2 is much more documented than the PS1. As for a "more traditional computing" experience, you can always look for an SGI. RISC-V borrows heavily from MIPS, so the two have a pretty similar development experience. [1]: https://github.com/frno7/linux https://github.com/frno7/linux or else source the official PS2 Linux Kit.
  - NikkiA 7y ago
    > As for a "more traditional computing" experience, you can always look for an SGI. There's also the Digital Electronics "DecStation 5000" series that were R3000 and R4000 based, which could run Ultrix or probably some of the more modern BSDs. They're probably rarer than used SGIs, but may be cheaper if you're lucky. (Though used 200MHz SGI Octanes are pretty cheap and plentiful in the US)

jchw 7y ago

Hey, technically, a stock PS2 can run Linux, and that’s still MIPS. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_PlayStation_2 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_PlayStation_2

ZirconiumX 7y ago
But modding a PS2 only requires a memory card with FreeMcBoot on it (it's literally plug and play), and at that point you might as well use an updated version of Linux like frno7's.
- jchw 7y ago
  This is true. I am mostly pointing out PS2 Linux as an interesting footnote, though it is probably a good argument that PS2 + FreeMcBoot is a better option than modchipped PS1 for MIPS computing.

ajxs 7y ago

I've thought about the router suggestion! The PlayStation idea is a great one I didn't think of! It looks like there's a great variety of devices running with MIPS CPUs. I was more specifically looking for a system capable of more traditional computing, but I definitely plan to take a look at smaller scale MIPS devices. How do you find embedded development for MIPS compared to ARM and RISC-V? I'm interested after hearing from people that it's a much better architecture, though I can't validate that for myself yet.

ZirconiumX 7y ago
With the PlayStation 2 you can run Linux on MIPS[1], though it's a highly nonstandard MIPS; you'll need to get a memory card with FreeMcBoot. Plus, even if you plan to do embedded development, the PS2 is much more documented than the PS1. As for a "more traditional computing" experience, you can always look for an SGI. RISC-V borrows heavily from MIPS, so the two have a pretty similar development experience. [1]: https://github.com/frno7/linux https://github.com/frno7/linux or else source the official PS2 Linux Kit.
- NikkiA 7y ago
  > As for a "more traditional computing" experience, you can always look for an SGI. There's also the Digital Electronics "DecStation 5000" series that were R3000 and R4000 based, which could run Ultrix or probably some of the more modern BSDs. They're probably rarer than used SGIs, but may be cheaper if you're lucky. (Though used 200MHz SGI Octanes are pretty cheap and plentiful in the US)