I'm guessing the idea is to provide a throwback to the days when computers were more hands-on and more nuts-and-bolts (think Apple II era). If the computer itse

I'm guessing the idea is to provide a throwback to the days when computers were more hands-on and more nuts-and-bolts (think Apple II era). If the computer itself only costs $25 and boots from MicroSD then you can let students have their own and customise them with things like soldering new connections to it, mounting it on a robot, making very simple games, etc. developing apps for android phones? I guess now that Android phones are coming down under $100 as well then this is becoming a possible alternative. You don't get the "nuts and bolts" aspect of it, but you do get to teach both programming & fun.