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by puzzlingcaptcha 2001 days ago
I remember running Debian on NSLU2 over a decade ago, that was likely similar spec (single core ARM/32MB RAM) though less integrated.
2 comments

The 'slug' was my first intro to linux on ARM too. 133 MHz unlockable to 266. Extra USB ports if you get your soldering iron out.

I used to run a mailserver off one and a media box off another.

I remember running it on this cheap iomega NAS drive around the same time. Very similar specs although it had a SATA controller.
Corel Netwinder, single core Intel-made ARM, 2 ethernet ports (10 and 10/100), VGA, serial, and a 2.5" PATA disk; I think I splurged on the 64MB version and paid something like $800 for it.

My nostalgia for it is tempered by knowing that a Raspberry Pi 4B is better in basically every single way and ridiculously cheaper.

My benchmark for the cheap single-board has been the $9 CHIP [1]. As far as I can tell nothing since was able to match that kind of value - 512MB RAM / 4GB MMC / wifi+BT. Hell, it even had a power management IC and a battery connector. I regret I didn't grab more of them before the company went defunct. If anyone knows of a spiritual successor please share.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-wor...

> As far as I can tell nothing since was able to match that kind of value

I mentioned it upthread and I don't want to look like I'm shilling but ... the Orange Pi zero board has 256M or 512M of ram, 4 cores, ethernet, wifi and all sorts of other stuff, for about $10. You have to provide storage though, and while it does have a graphics capability you need an expansion board (another $2) to use it.

The Orange Pi looks good, but it's a shame they have non-standard POE which seems to require weird hacks to make it work (https://parglescouk.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/getting-the-ora...). Having a single wire to each board would be very compelling if it could be more standard.
Are those solder bridges directly connected to the Ethernet Jack? If so it would be much easier to just hook the 48V -> 5V step down converter there to avoid having to prepare a special Ethernet cable.
Yeah, must admit I didn't try the PoE, I've just used it with power to the MicroUSB. It is indeed a shame.
Thanks, this does indeed look compelling. The onboard ethernet, wifi antenna connector, and a regular-sized USB are all pluses too.
If anyone is interested I have 3 CHIPs in mint condition. Never got around to use them (I have a case of SBC addiction).

You can write me at hi-at-nickname.xyz

The only bummer is missing upstream support. Although right now the only thing missing seems to be the NAND.

https://linux-sunxi.org/NextThingCo_CHIP

https://linux-sunxi.org/MTD_Driver#Challenges

Not a successor but I found a seller that is still selling them:

aliexpress.com/item/33051763438.html

Thanks for this!

Unfortunately the shipping is "strangely" expensive.

Even if I was to buy 10 CHIP they would still cost 15 euro each with shipping included.