This computer costs just $13 [video](mashable.com)
mashable.com
This computer costs just $13 [video]
http://mashable.com/2012/11/10/single-board-computer/
11 comments
This is not a general-purpose computer, this is a microcontroller. This Stellaris LaunchPad is comparable to many other small devices such as the Arduino family. These boards are used for embedded development and are not able to run a full-blown desktop operating system such as Linux, but instead run smaller programs with the purpose to control LEDs or motors.
It is called "Stellaris Launchpad":
http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/stellaris_head.html?DCMP=s...
http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/stellaris_head.html?DCMP=s...
Wired's Geek Dad has a better write up of same board (http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/11/a-13-arm-single-board-c...)
I found the phrase "just like DOS" kind of funny - presumably the writer has a Mac, and has never touched Terminal.
Why would he be a Mac user? Since he mentioned DOS I think it's much more likely he's a Microsoft/Windows guy who remember the DOS days.
Mashable is a silicon valley operation, I just assumed... Plus the same goes for Windows and the command prompt, but in the valley, unix is ubiquitous, and yet non-existent as far as the press knows.
I cringed at that line.
Seems very similar, and at a similar price, to a family of ST boards, which have been out for a while: http://www.st.com/jp/evalboard/product/252419.jsp
I did one of the TI seminars and got one of their eval boards for free. Their 'StellarisWare' which was basically a bunch of code which did the basic stuff you needed (like init all the registers and what not, provide a simple printf() etc) was really handy. And GCC support was pretty complete, unpacked the archive and blam, was using gmake to build demos on my Linux box. I still fired up the Windows VM to run the downloader as it worked better than the tools on Linux but still, very nice kit. I have encouraged them to add a bit more RAM to their line.
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Pretty cool, but has no graphics out, which excludes a lot of what people are using the raspberry pi for.
I think it's bit a stretch to call Cortex-M series MCU a "computer". Can you even program it on itself?
I got mine for free.
Raspberry Pi: 512M RAM, ~700 MHz @700mA. Usage: replacement for desktop computers or media centers. Stellaris: 32k RAM, 80 MHz @30mA. Usage: Embedded systems, sensor networks. Good luck trying to mount a Debian-like OS in the stellaris.
Anyways, another "great" technical article from Mashable.
Disclaimer: I use Stellaris, msp430 and other TI tools daily.