$12 Computer: Playpower Wants to Save the World 8 Bits at a Time‏

[Floppies_only]

Gang,

I came across a news article that says that companies in India are making really cheap computers using the 6502 CPU, and that they are able to do it because the 6502 has lost it's patent protection. The computers are said to have game programs on them and are suppossed to be able to teach English. Here's the article:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/03/12-computers-ba/

I have also read that the house current in India is 230 Volts at 50 cycles AC, compared to the U.S.'s 120 Volts at 60 cycles AC (Hertz). Does anybody know if it is possible to use a voltage converter to power one of these "TV Computers" with current of the wrong frequency?

The TVs in India are PAL B, which is different than the U.S.'s NTSC or HD.

Sean

 

[linuxlove]

From what I can tell, those $12 computers are nothing more than Famiclone systems with keyboards.

 

[barythrin]

I think this was never really accomplished or sold? I remember reading about them and there were a few incorrect articles which stated it was a 6502 or 6508 (NES chip instead of Apple II) but I can't remember which was correct. Then I think they ended up being quoted at $28 or something (not expensive but not the goal either). I could be wrong though. I actually wanted to buy one of these for our girls just as far as getting them an educational cheap computer which could grow with them (since from what I read it had basic onboard so writing your own apps is possible) but like the OLPC I couldn't find one for sale :-(

 

[saundby]

You can get them at the Maker Shed:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPP1

They're on clearance for US$30.

The company's blog isn't all that active, but the twitter feed and wiki are:
http://twitter.com/Playpower
http://wiki.playpower.org/

 

[kgagne]

I remember this story from August 2008, when it was first reported to be based on an Apple II but was in fact a Nintendo/Famicom. I haven't followed it since then, though. Here's the original report.

 

[NathanAllan]

If only it was based on more the Atari ST and not the Nintendo I'd be all over it.

 

[Raven]

Wow did you guys read that makershed page? It runs any NES/Famicom cart (NES carts requiring a converter) and comes with a DOS cart and several others. That means that a toploader NES could run the DOS cart quite possibly - neat - not that it'd be useful, and that this also would act as some sort of cross between the C64 and the NES - a full keyboard and programmable system with NES hardware. I may just get one of these.

 

[NathanAllan]

Raven, you've really got me thinking now-- what if a game/program could be coded on the Cloneputer (my name for it) and ran via a flash cart on the real NES?

I think I want an 8-bit "modern" computer now. I'll be able to get $30 bucks up soon enough.

 

[linuxlove]

Raven, you've really got me thinking now-- what if a game/program could be coded on the Cloneputer (my name for it) and ran via a flash cart on the real NES?

I think I want an 8-bit "modern" computer now. I'll be able to get $30 bucks up soon enough.

Or if you want to play it on a real NES (and have $135) you could look at this option: http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=34

 

[barythrin]

Some disappointing reviews. Guess it's not a good choice for the kids maybe.. although I'm probably going to try and get one anyway lol. A large comment is it comes with nothing.. (no documentation at all). Kinda dumb, but it may be there on the wiki (haven't dug through all the links but they're acting like they have an sdk and docs online).