Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

fustini — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 19:56:41 GMT

I'm a backer at the "kernel hacker" reward level. I believe strongly in Open Source Hardware and really hope that Next Thing Co. will succeed with C.H.I.P. They raised over $2 million from close to 40,000 backers, but only time will tell if they are able to deliver on time and on budget.

However, I am very encouraged by their announcement that they're working with the wonderful Linux kernel hackers at Free Electrons:

All about Open Source

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-worlds-first-9-computer/posts/1247188?ref=backer_project_update

"We're incredibly excited to announce that we've partnered with one of the premier contributors to ARM Linux: Free Electrons! We will be collaborating with their amazing team of ARM Linux engineers, and of course our Kernel Hacker backers to help us test and mainline C.H.I.P.'s kernel modifications as we move forward."

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

johnbeetem — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 16:54:24 GMT

Actually, CHIP is a nice-looking board and nice form factor, very reminiscent of BeagleBone. The price is incredible and I agree with the Olimex analysis that this must be a promotional price, with losses recovered through shipping costs.

The main reason I didn't back CHIP is that boards won't be generally available until next year (May 2016 for systems with video) and by that time who knows what other boards will become available. That, and I have enough boards to keep me busy for a long time.

If CHIP does catch on, there's plenty of time to catch up.

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

johnbeetem — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:34:20 GMT

OSHW competitor Olimex has an interesting analysis of CHIP: https://olimex.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/how-to-get-in-the-news-tell-people-that-you-will-make-and-sell-something-which-c…

The 'blog quotes SoC manufacturer Allwinner as saying:

“CHIP $9 computer launched a big advertising campaign to promote their new development board, their actual cost is higher than $9. After the Kickstarter their computer will sell for $39.”

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

clem57 — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 11:23:11 GMT

[mention:ca2fe37c8c70477fb45e83ddaf152e5d:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05]is write (right [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c0f3dac2-67d4-4bd8-81e0-9166030e409c/contentimage_5F00_403.png:16:16]). They tout low cost and add 50% or more for shipping? Bad marketing in my mind and so I canceled order. BTW you can get one and only one per account so shipping is per unit. What they cannot use same box? [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c0f3dac2-67d4-4bd8-81e0-9166030e409c/contentimage_5F00_53.png:16:16]

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

balearicdynamics — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:32:46 GMT

It seems more a "boutade" ... $9 for the PC, then the pieces that needs the "PC" to be ... a PC [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c0f3dac2-67d4-4bd8-81e0-9166030e409c/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16] So, with a minimal asset to make any stupid thing it's 9 + 40 + 20 +shipment and so on...

Maybe that they had a good project and an incredible marketing intelligence selling pieces alone instead of the entire stuff together.

My impression. I wait and see.

Enrico

RE: Nine bucks can net you a CHIP from Next Level Co that can fit in your pocket

fvan — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:23:06 GMT

Don't forget the $20 shipping costs ...

Also, will it continue to be sold at $9 after the KS campaign ?