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What about a little more expensive version with enough memory to handle VGA mode 13h? PS: If I’m not mistaken, this would mean a minimum of 256K video memory -

What about a little more expensive version with enough memory to handle VGA mode 13h? PS: If I’m not mistaken, this would mean a minimum of 256K video memory - so, say, another 256K for general RAM. So perhaps a 512K or 1MB system.

DrNosferatu 2y ago
The manufacturer’s similar chips max out at 64K - still it would make a more beginner-friendly project: Color makes a big difference in impact!
- snvzz 2y ago
  >The manufacturer’s similar chips max out at 64K Perhaps these should be considered. 64KB is a world better than the 2K in the selected variant (CH32V003) in that micro-controller family.
  - brucehoult 2y ago
    As pointed out in my other comment, you can add vast amounts of extra functionality for very little cost, up to a Linux-running board with 64 MB RAM for $5. But that's not the point. The point is: what is the cheapest stand-alone usable computer you can make? "Usable" in the same sense as a ZX80 or Altair 8800 or Apple I of course, not in the sense of a modern computer. If you pay 50c for the CPU instead of 10c then you just increased the total cost by 50%.
    - snvzz 2y ago
      >If you pay 50c for the CPU instead of 10c then you just increased the total cost by 50%. True. But is the difference actually 5x? CH32V003 shouldn't be the only option.
DrNosferatu 2y ago
Perhaps the ESP32-C3?
brucehoult 2y ago
There is not a lot of pricing room between a $1 board with 10c 48 MHz 2 KB RAM chip (as here) and a $5 board with 1 GHz 64 bit 64 MB RAM board running Linux (Milk-V Duo). That gap is pretty much filled by boards using e.g. the ESP32-C3 with 400 KB RAM, running at 160 MHz. You cvan find quite a few of those for around $1.80. https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-esp32%2525252dc3-board.html https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-esp32%2525252dc3-board...
snvzz 2y ago
>to handle VGA mode 13h? While VGA is the interface used for the analog video signal, no attempt is being made to emulate the old "VGA controller".
DrNosferatu 2y ago
I guess you could always get the Agon Light, but that’s 50€! The ESP32-C3 can be had for under 2€. …and a killer app for such a nano computer would source ports of people’s favorite retro games ;)

DrNosferatu 2y ago

The manufacturer’s similar chips max out at 64K - still it would make a more beginner-friendly project: Color makes a big difference in impact!

snvzz 2y ago
>The manufacturer’s similar chips max out at 64K Perhaps these should be considered. 64KB is a world better than the 2K in the selected variant (CH32V003) in that micro-controller family.
- brucehoult 2y ago
  As pointed out in my other comment, you can add vast amounts of extra functionality for very little cost, up to a Linux-running board with 64 MB RAM for $5. But that's not the point. The point is: what is the cheapest stand-alone usable computer you can make? "Usable" in the same sense as a ZX80 or Altair 8800 or Apple I of course, not in the sense of a modern computer. If you pay 50c for the CPU instead of 10c then you just increased the total cost by 50%.
  - snvzz 2y ago
    >If you pay 50c for the CPU instead of 10c then you just increased the total cost by 50%. True. But is the difference actually 5x? CH32V003 shouldn't be the only option.

DrNosferatu 2y ago

Perhaps the ESP32-C3?

brucehoult 2y ago

There is not a lot of pricing room between a $1 board with 10c 48 MHz 2 KB RAM chip (as here) and a $5 board with 1 GHz 64 bit 64 MB RAM board running Linux (Milk-V Duo). That gap is pretty much filled by boards using e.g. the ESP32-C3 with 400 KB RAM, running at 160 MHz. You cvan find quite a few of those for around $1.80. https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-esp32%2525252dc3-board.html https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-esp32%2525252dc3-board...

snvzz 2y ago

>to handle VGA mode 13h? While VGA is the interface used for the analog video signal, no attempt is being made to emulate the old "VGA controller".

DrNosferatu 2y ago

I guess you could always get the Agon Light, but that’s 50€! The ESP32-C3 can be had for under 2€. …and a killer app for such a nano computer would source ports of people’s favorite retro games ;)