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I was thinking about the fact that 40 years ago there was the Sinclair ZX80, a $100 computer that you could hook to your TV and there's not really a whole lot i

by dhosek 5y ago

I was thinking about the fact that 40 years ago there was the Sinclair ZX80, a $100 computer that you could hook to your TV and there's not really a whole lot in that space/price point¹ now other than the hobbyist Raspberry Pi/arduino/other hobbyist machines. I'd have to think that it's possible to make a consumer-grade PC that you hook up to your own monitor for around $100, although I guess the cost of a Windows license is an obstacle to that. Surely someone could build a windows PC (or I guess Linux) that's inside a keyboard enclosure for around $100 that could be commercially successful now. ⸻ 1. We can ignore inflation adjustments because computer prices have generally stayed flat or gone down (the rule used to be that the PC you wanted was around $2000–3000 and nowadays if we're talking about a desktop system, assuming one even specs such a thing, it's less than that).

shakna 5y ago
> Surely someone could build a windows PC (or I guess Linux) that's inside a keyboard enclosure for around $100 that could be commercially successful now. Raspberry Pi actually did that. [0] The RPi 400 is right around that $100 mark, fully assembled, and is basically a keyboard with a bunch of ports for the people who end up with it. [0] https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-400/ https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-400/
- sleepybrett 5y ago
  and a mouse!
7thaccount 5y ago
There is a raspberry pi kit to do just that (keyboard + screen + computer all in one). The only other option is a ZXSpectrum Next (Kickstarter that is having trouble with supply chain right now for the latest batch). It's freaking awesome though. You can directly download new spectrum games from the internet or just use the SD card. Someone wrote a new assembly language book. There is a BBS app...so many cool things going on. The commander x-16 will also be cool if it ever comes out.
robotresearcher 5y ago
There are functional used PCs in dumpsters and for $cheap now. Wasn't the case in the 1980s. You can definitely get working for $100.
toast0 5y ago
There were those stick pcs for a while. I think those started around $100, add a $10 keyboard and a $10 mouse and you're not too far from your price point.
sokoloff 5y ago
I bought a Samsung Chromebook 4 for $92 including tax on Black Friday. You can buy one today for $120+tax at Walmart. It’s plenty capable, especially as compared to other sub-$250 options and has power supply, battery, screen, keyboard, trackpad, speakers, camera, and microphone included.
AtlasBarfed 5y ago
I thought you could buy a RPI-in-keyboard... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvHJ97d8n8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvHJ97d8n8

by dhosek 5y ago

shakna 5y ago

> Surely someone could build a windows PC (or I guess Linux) that's inside a keyboard enclosure for around $100 that could be commercially successful now. Raspberry Pi actually did that. [0] The RPi 400 is right around that $100 mark, fully assembled, and is basically a keyboard with a bunch of ports for the people who end up with it. [0] https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-400/ https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-400/

sleepybrett 5y ago
and a mouse!

7thaccount 5y ago

There is a raspberry pi kit to do just that (keyboard + screen + computer all in one). The only other option is a ZXSpectrum Next (Kickstarter that is having trouble with supply chain right now for the latest batch). It's freaking awesome though. You can directly download new spectrum games from the internet or just use the SD card. Someone wrote a new assembly language book. There is a BBS app...so many cool things going on. The commander x-16 will also be cool if it ever comes out.

robotresearcher 5y ago

There are functional used PCs in dumpsters and for $cheap now. Wasn't the case in the 1980s. You can definitely get working for $100.

toast0 5y ago

There were those stick pcs for a while. I think those started around $100, add a $10 keyboard and a $10 mouse and you're not too far from your price point.

sokoloff 5y ago

I bought a Samsung Chromebook 4 for $92 including tax on Black Friday. You can buy one today for $120+tax at Walmart. It’s plenty capable, especially as compared to other sub-$250 options and has power supply, battery, screen, keyboard, trackpad, speakers, camera, and microphone included.

AtlasBarfed 5y ago

I thought you could buy a RPI-in-keyboard... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvHJ97d8n8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvHJ97d8n8