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1-bit CPU for ‘super low-performance computer’ launched – sells out promptly

⁨333⁩ ⁨likes⁩

Submitted ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨throws_lemy@lemmy.nz⁩ to ⁨technology@lemmy.world⁩

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/1-bit-cpu-for-super-low-performance-computer-launched-sells-out-promptly

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Comments

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  • meco03211@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    What’s the purpose of this thing?

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    • linearchaos@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      It’s a computer in almost its simplest form.

      There’s almost nothing to it, the circuit diagram is easy to read, you program it literally by flipping a couple of dip switches.

      It’s kind of an experiment for someone wanting to get into retro computer or hardware design.

      That said it’s essentially useless and I would much rather buy a kit from Ben Eater start with a 6502 and make something that can actually run complex programs.

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      • darkpanda@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        Even with just one bit and a few switches this seems like the sort of thing Picard could use to send an encoded message to Riker and Data in the future should the need arise.

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    • jordanlund@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Turn an LED on and off apparently.

      ETA to someone setting up an array and running Doom or Linux?

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      • otter@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        3 months

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      • ByteJunk@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        How many for bad apple

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    • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Fun. It does not much, really. Two instructions (add, jump), parameters either 0 or 1, two instructions in total. It just shows how a computer works in general. All key signals are visible (Clock, Program Counter, Accumulator).

      About as useful as a quantum computer, just way cheaper.

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    • Crul@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      AFAIK, they are used as relays.

      From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-bit_computing#1-bit

      Computers and microcomputers may also be used, but they tend to overcomplicate the task and often require highly trained personnel to develop and maintain the system. A simpler device, designed to operate on inputs and outputs one-at-a-time and configured to resemble a relay system, was introduced. These devices became known to the controls industry as programmable logic controllers (PLC).

      See also the playlist linked in the other comment with more explanations:
      1-Bit Breadboard Computer - Usagi Electric (YouTube)

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      • barsoap@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        Actual PLCs in the wild are industrial cabinets with a lot more capacity. Price-wise if you have a DIY project in mind you’re better off buying a RISC-V microcontroller, under 10 bucks including board, with vastly more IO and processing power. Still not enough to replace one of those industrial cabinets, though, especially when it comes to IO capacity, do you have any idea how many sensors and actuators rollercoasters have.

        This thing is so limited you have to engineer your problem to fit. Maybe something like switching your doorbell from normal to quiet to silent to flash lights.

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    • guitarsarereal@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Education.

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      • rescue_toaster@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        I teach an electronics class and a barebones version of this is one of the early logic gate labs: an SR latch built using NAND gates. It can set and reset a bit!

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    • doubletandard@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      mee seek and destroy…what’s is my purpose again?

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      • linearchaos@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        Sorry, one bit isn’t even going to pass butter…

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  • Fisk400@feddit.nu ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    It will run doom before boxing day.

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    • Chobbes@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Am I the only one super unimpressed by most “it can run doom” things? It’s either some beefy arm CPU or a total hack where it isn’t really running doom and they shoved a raspberry pi in it or something.

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      • Fisk400@feddit.nu ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        That is because most things can’t run doom without modification. I’m fine with adding stuff but displays and inputs need to be on the hardware and the thing must look like its untampered with. For me it’s just a funny magic trick so I’m not that bothered if it’s faked

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    • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      I’m glad we all had this thought together. “Can we make this run doom…?” It’s rare that the answer is truly no, but this is probably a case.

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  • Treczoks@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Perfect school project thing. Imagine you have an electronics/computer course and present your students with this circuit (without the print mask!). “See? Power supply, power LED, three other LEDs, four DIP switches. Here is the circuit diagram, if you cannot figure it out. Your task: Find out what this thing is and how it works. Bonus: give a meaningful description for the settings of the switches.”

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  • Mandy@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    With scalpers being especially prevelant in the tech scene (hello pi), being sold out just doesn’t have the same ring to it anymore you know?

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    • Cort@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Eh, for the company making them it still has that same old Ca-ching sound

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      • HerbalGamer@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        Just the one time though.

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  • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Is this what they use to power those cheap android tablets you get from wish?

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  • soulfirethewolf@lemdro.id ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    This seems like a great computer to use in schools to teach how a computer works

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  • SzethFriendOfNimi@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Sometimes you just want a nibble

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    • 7of9@startrek.website ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      What is this a computer for ants? It should be at least … four times bigger.

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  • cooopsspace@infosec.pub ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Can’t wait for the Skyrim release

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  • CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    This is gonna be on a “rate my setup” post any minute now.

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  • Hyperreality@kbin.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Why do these articles always go on about stuff being sold out like it means something? Even if it's true, that almost certainly means they've simply been bought up by resellers.

    I recently needed a plumbing part. Obviously no one's getting excited about plumbing parts. That was also 'sold out' on the manufacturers website.

    In reality there are a thousand resellers selling the thing. Manufacturer doesn't need to have large warehouse or deal with a large number of customers. Resellers get to make a profit by selling for more than the large order unit price they paid. Customers like me get to buy the product at less than the original small order price the manufacturer was asking.

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    • 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Sorry. That was me. I can’t get enough of ‘plumbing part’, and am bathed in as I type this. Hahaha good point.

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  • Crul@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    For those curious about 1-bit computers, see Usagi Electric’s playlist:

    • 1-Bit Breadboard Computer - Usagi Electric (YouTube)
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    • downhomechunk@midwest.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Oh man, I just discovered this guy recently. I’m way into his bendix project. I really hope he gets the thing running and shows us what he can do with it.

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  • ch00f@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Funny it could sell out when it looks like 4 7400 logic chips that could be wired up on a breadboard.

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    • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Yeap, that's all it is plus the PCB and accessories. Looking at it, looks like a 74HC00 - quad NAND gates, 74HC14 - Schmitt trigger inverters, 74HC74 - A dual D flip-flop, and a 74HC153 - dual 4 input mux.

      The clock isn't even a 555, just an RC circuit passed through the Schmitt trigger and the provided hardware XOR is where our NANDs come in.

      It's a neat little project but I think good CPU lessons need to have a MAR/MDR/CIR and show the fetch, decode, and execute cycle. Because a lot of modern concepts derive from asking the question of "how do I optimize that?"

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  • Municipal0379@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Okay, but will it run doom??

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    • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      IDK about Doom but someone is likely already working on a VLC port for it.

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    • JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      They mention in the article that it won’t :(

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      • jmd_akbar@aussie.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        I’m not mad… I’m just disappointed… 😜

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      • Plopp@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        You just wait!

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    • linearchaos@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Unfortunately it’s about 15 bits short.

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      • CaptPretentious@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        So buy more!

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  • andrewrgross@slrpnk.net ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    That’s cute. Fun.

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  • pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    🐻‍❄️

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  • BlackSkinnedJew@lemmynsfw.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    To anyone interested in SBCs look for Orange Pi at AliExpress.

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