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Computers
``Computer use by ordinary citizens (already available in 1980) will
transform the public from passive viewers of TV into mentally alert,
highly trained, information-processing experts.''
(PHILIP K. DICK)
I enjoy tinkering with computers, and I've got quite a lot of them.
My primary interests are free and open source software, bootstrapping,
data communications and networking, self-hosting systems, low-end
computing, home computing, permacomputing and retrocomputing.
These days people have a lot of equipment that can be considered as a
``computer'' (e.g. many phones and TV sets are running Linux). I have
a following criteria to limit listing all the possible devices:
- It's possible to develop and to run my own programs on it.
- It's possible to exchange data between my other computers using the
written programs.
Based on above criteria my gaming consoles
are therefore not proper computers. Although I'm able to program games
for them, the consoles are (with their current firmware) unable to
communicate with other computers. Somewhat same applies to my
Android devices - in theory they could be
repurposed as programmable devices, but I just haven't bothered to do
that yet.
In the tables below I'm only listing the features I'm using on that
particular computer and not what the computer might actually be able to
provide. For example, for a headless server the ``Graphics'' entry is
usually empty although there might be an intergrated GPU or whatever.
Architectures listed from the newest technology to the oldest. Computers
within an architecture listed from the oldest to the newest.
ARM64
| System |
``bitwoods''
|
``nas''
|
``roadster''
|
| Model |
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
| Year |
2016 |
2016 |
2016 |
| SoC |
Broadcom BCM2837 |
Broadcom BCM2837 |
Broadcom BCM2837 |
| CPU |
1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Cores |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| RAM |
1 GB |
1 GB |
1 GB |
| Disk |
32 GB (SDHC)
(Samsung EVO Plus)
32 GB (SDHC/USB) (backup media)
(Samsung EVO Plus, Super Top microSD card reader (SY-T18),
14cd:1212)
|
32 GB (SDHC)
(Samsung EVO Plus)
500 GB (USB/RAID1)
(2 x Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX)
(2 x Deltaco MAP-GD33U3 enclosure, 174c:55aa)
|
32 GB (SDHC)
(Samsung EVO Plus)
512 GB (USB/RAID1)
(2 x Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G3, 0951:1666)
|
| Networking |
Fast Ethernet
|
Fast Ethernet
|
Fast Ethernet
Wi-Fi
|
| Connectors |
Ethernet
|
Ethernet
USB 2.0
|
Ethernet
USB 2.0
DSI
HDMI
|
| Peripherals |
14x14x6 mm gold anodized aluminium heat sink |
14x14x6 mm gold anodized aluminium heat sink |
14x14x6 mm gold anodized aluminium heat sink
7" Touchscreen Display (899-7466)
Apple USB Keyboard A1048 (05ac:020c)
Apple USB Mouse M5769 (05ac:0307)
|
| Graphics |
-
|
-
|
Integrated Broadcom (HDMI/DSI) |
| Case |
Black ABS enclosure
(ASM-1900036-21)
|
Black ABS enclosure
(ASM-1900036-21)
|
Touchscreen Premium Case
(ASM-1900035-21)
|
| Power |
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A |
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A
Deltaco MAP-GD33U3 12V/2A
Deltaco MAP-GD33U3 12V/2A
|
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A |
| Power usage |
1-5W (idle)
1-5W (normal use)
|
5-10W (idle)
15-20W (normal use)
|
5-10W (normal use) |
| OS |
Raspberry Pi OS (bookworm) |
DIY Linux |
Raspberry Pi OS (bookworm) |
| Application |
BBS server
Mastodon server
|
NAS server for backups |
Portable desktop |
| Notes |
MPEG-2 license (useless) |
- |
- |
X86-64
| System |
``macbook''
|
``dethstar''
|
``lonestar''
|
|
| Year |
2008 |
2013 |
2013 |
2015 |
| CPU |
Intel Core 2 Duo |
AMD FX-6350 |
Intel i7-3770 |
Intel Pentium G3420 |
| Frequency |
2.0 GHz |
3.9 GHz |
3.4 GHz |
3.2 GHz |
| Cores |
2 |
6 |
8 |
2 |
| RAM |
8 GB (2 x 4 GB) |
16 GB (4 x 4 GB) |
8 GB (2 x 4 GB) |
16 GB (4 x 4 GB) |
| RAM type |
DDR3 1066 MHz SO-DIMM |
DDR3 1333 MHz DIMM |
DDR3 1600 MHz DIMM |
DDR3 1600 MHz DIMM |
| Disk |
500 GB (SATA)
(Seagate BarraCuda ST500LM030)
|
500 GB (SATA/RAID1)
(Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX,
Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AAVS)
|
500 GB (SATA)
(Toshiba DT01ACA050)
500 GB (FireWire/RAID1)
(2 x LaCie 301313U)
|
1 TB (SATA/RAID1)
(2 x SeaGate ST1000DM003)
|
| Connectivity |
Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi
|
Gigabit Ethernet |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Gigabit Ethernet
PLIP
|
| Motherboard |
Apple MacBook 5,1 |
MSI 760GA-P43 (FX) |
HP Compaq Elite 8300 |
ASRock B85M Pro3 |
| Removable media |
CD/DVD
(MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-868 KB19)
|
CD/DVD
(ASUS Super Multi DVD Writer DRW-24D5MT)
|
CD/DVD
(HP DVD A DH16ACSHR JHG7)
|
CD/DVD
(PLDS DVD-RW DH16ACSH JL3A)
|
| Connectors |
- |
PCI Express Gen 2 16x
|
PCI
RS-232
FireWire (DeLock 89050)
|
PCI Express
USB 3.0
PS/2
Parallel port (Oxford Semiconductor 1415:c110)
|
| Graphics |
Integrated NVIDIA |
NVIDIA RTX 3060 12 GB |
Integrated Intel (VGA) |
Integrated Intel (DVI) |
| Peripherals |
- |
- |
- |
AD-300 PS/2 male <-> 5 pin female AT keyboard adapter
IBM Model M 1387530 buckling spring keyboard
Pro Signal SL666 Laplink type parallel cable
Retro Games THEMOUSE USB mouse (1c59:0027)
|
| Monitor |
Built-in 13.3" |
- |
Dell 2405FPW 24" |
Dell 2405FPW 24" |
| Case |
- |
Cooler Master Elite 241 |
HP Compaq Elite 8300 Minitower |
Cooler Master N200 |
| Power |
Apple 60W MagSafe |
600 W
(Cooler Master B600 V2)
|
320 W |
500 W
(Cooler Master B500 V2)
|
| Power usage |
20W (idle)
40W (normal use)
|
75W (idle)
300W (normal use)
|
25W (idle, display off)
80W (normal use)
|
TBD |
| OS |
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
DIY Linux |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS |
| Application |
Home laptop |
Stable Diffusion |
Linux kernel development
NAS server for backups
|
Home desktop |
ARM32
General purpose
| System |
Amstrad E3
|
Spectrum Digital OMAP Starter Kit
|
Raspberry Pi Model B+ |
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B |
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B |
| Year |
2004 |
2004 |
2014 |
2015 |
2015 |
| SoC |
OMAP 5910 |
OMAP 5912 |
Broadcom BCM2835 |
Broadcom BCM2836 |
Broadcom BCM2836 |
| Architecture |
ARMv4T |
ARMv5TEJ |
ARMv6 |
ARMv7 |
ARMv7 |
| CPU |
150 MHz ARM925T |
192 MHz ARM926EJ-S |
700 MHz ARM1176JZF-S |
900 MHz Cortex-A7 |
900 MHz Cortex-A7 |
| Cores |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
| RAM |
32 MB |
32 MB |
512 MB |
1 GB |
1 GB |
| Flash |
32 MB |
32 MB |
- |
- |
- |
| Disk |
32 GB (USB) |
96 MB (CompactFlash)
32 GB (USB) |
32 GB (SDHC) |
16 GB (SDHC) |
32 GB (SDHC) |
| Connectivity |
Fast Ethernet
RS-232
|
Fast Ethernet
RS-232
|
2G/3G/4G cellular data
Fast Ethernet
Wi-Fi
|
2G/3G/4G cellular data
Fast Ethernet
Wi-Fi
|
Fast Ethernet
Wi-Fi
|
| Removable media |
USB disk |
CompactFlash
USB disk |
SDHC |
SDHC |
SDHC |
| Connectors |
RS-232
USB 1.1
|
CompactFlash
Ethernet
RS-232
USB 1.1
|
Ethernet
USB 2.0
|
Ethernet
USB 2.0
|
Ethernet
USB 2.0
|
| Peripherals |
D-Link DUB-E100 USB ethernet adapter (2001:1a00)
Kingston USB microSD reader FCR-MRG2 (05e3:0736)
Konig CSU2H7P200BL 7-port USB hub (1a40:0101)
Samsung EVO Plus 32 GB microSDHC UHS-I card
|
Kingston USB microSD reader FCR-MRG2 (05e3:0736)
Samsung EVO Plus 32 GB microSDHC UHS-I card
SanDisk 96 MB CompactFlash card
|
Huawei E392 USB modem (12d1:1505)
Ralink RT5370 Wi-Fi USB adapter with 2 dBi antenna (148f:5370)
Samsung EVO Plus 32 GB microSDHC UHS-I card
|
Huawei E392 USB modem (12d1:1505)
Ralink RT5370 Wi-Fi USB adapter with 2 dBi antenna (148f:5370)
Transcend 16 GB class 10 UHS-I microSDHC memory card
|
14x14x6 mm gold anodized aluminium heat sink
Ralink RT5370 Wi-Fi USB adapter with 2 dBi antenna (148f:5370)
Samsung EVO Plus 32 GB microSDHC UHS-I card
|
| Monitor |
Built-in 5.8" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Power |
Amstrad PSU-EM3002A-UK 33.5V/0.2A
Tesco UK to Continent power plug adaptor
USB hub 5V/2.5A
|
I.T.E. 5V/3A |
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A |
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A |
Raspberry Pi 5.1V/2.5A |
| Power usage |
10W |
Under 5W |
Under 5W |
Under 5W |
Under 5W |
| Case |
- |
- |
Black ABS enclosure
(ASM-1900036-21)
Dell accessory bag
(carrying case)
|
Black ABS enclosure
(ASM-1900036-21)
|
Black ABS enclosure
(ASM-1900036-21)
|
| Operating system |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
| Application |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Mobile broadband router |
Mobile broadband router |
Wireless access point |
Mobile
| System |
Palm Tungsten E
|
Nokia 770
|
Nokia N800
|
Nokia N810
|
Nokia N900 |
Nokia N950 |
Nokia N9 |
| Year |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2007 |
2009 |
2011 |
2011 |
| SoC |
OMAP310 |
OMAP1710 |
OMAP2420 |
OMAP2420 |
|
|
|
| Architecture |
ARMv4T |
ARMv5TEJ |
ARMv6TEJ |
ARMv6TEJ |
|
|
|
| CPU |
126 MHz ARM925T |
252 MHz ARM926EJ-S |
330 MHz ARM1136 |
330 MHz ARM1136 |
|
|
|
| RAM |
32 MB |
64 MB |
128 MB |
128 MB |
256 MB |
1 GB |
1 GB |
| Flash |
? |
? |
256 MB |
256 MB |
|
|
|
| Disk |
32 MB (SD) |
2 GB (RS-MMC) |
4 GB (SD) |
2 GB (eMMC)
4 GB (miniSD) |
|
|
|
| Connectivity |
USB (Ethernet gadget) |
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
USB (Ethernet gadget)
UART (Serial console)
|
| Connectors |
USB 1.1 |
USB 1.1 |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 |
| Peripherals |
Canon SDC-32M 32 MB SD card |
Kingston MMC Mobile Dual-voltage 2 GB MMC card |
Transcend 4 GB SD card |
Nokia 4 GB MicroSD card
Nokia MicroSD Adapater
|
|
|
|
| Battery |
? |
Nokia BP-5L
1500mAh 3.7V
|
Nokia BP-5L
1500mAh 3.7V
|
Nokia BP-4L
1500mAh 3.7V
|
Nokia BL-5J
1430mAh 3.7V
|
Nokia BV-4D
1320mAh 3.8V
|
Nokia BV-5JW
1450mAh 3.8V
|
| Power |
Palm AC Adaptor 5V/1A
Tesco UK to Continent power plug adaptor
|
Nokia AC-3E 5V/350mA
| Nokia AC-3E 5V/350mA
| Nokia AC-3E 5V/350mA
| |
|
|
| Operating system |
Palm OS
DIY Linux
|
Maemo
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
DIY Linux |
| Application |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Linux kernel development |
Z80
| System |
Amstrad NC100 |
| Year |
1992 |
| CPU |
4 MHz Z80 |
| ROM |
256 KB |
| RAM |
64 KB |
| RAM battery |
CR2032 3V |
| Disk |
512 KB (SRAM) |
| Connectivity |
RS-232
|
| Removable media |
SRAM |
| Connectors |
PCMCIA
RS-232
|
| Peripherals |
Sunmax 512 KB SRAM PCMCIA card |
| Power |
Amstrad NC-PSU/UK 6V/0.3A
Tesco UK to Continent power plug adaptor
|
| Application |
Programming |
8086
| System |
Amstrad PC1640 HD20 PC-MD
|
Amstrad PC1640 HD20 PC-ECD |
| Year |
1986 |
1986 |
| CPU |
8 MHz Intel 8086 |
8 MHz NEC V30 (NEC Ireland 1990)
8087-2 FPU (Intel 1988)
|
| RAM |
640 KB |
640 KB |
| Disk |
20 MB (RLL hard drive)
360 KB (Floppy)
|
20 MB (RLL hard drive)
360 KB (Floppy)
|
| Connectivity |
PLIP
RS-232
|
PLIP
RS-232
|
| Removable media |
5.25" Floppy |
5.25" Floppy |
| Connectors |
8-bit ISA
Amstrad keyboard connector
Parallel port
RS-232
|
8-bit ISA
Amstrad keyboard connector
Parallel port
RS-232
|
| Peripherals |
Amstrad PC1640 keyboard
Logicode high speed serial board HSP-1P1
Pro Signal SL666 Laplink cable
|
Amstrad PC1640 keyboard
Logicode high speed serial board HSP-1P1
Pro Signal SL666 Laplink cable
|
| Graphics |
Integrated Monochrome/Hercules 12" CRT |
Integrated EGA 12" CRT |
| Power |
Powered by the CRT monitor |
Powered by the CRT monitor |
| Power usage |
55W |
90W |
| Operating system |
MS-DOS 3.20 |
MS-DOS 3.20 |
| Application |
ASCII/ANSI art
BBS client
Programming
|
ASCII/ANSI art
BBS client
Programming
|
65xx
| System |
Commodore VIC-20 |
Commodore 64 |
| Year |
1980 |
1982 |
| CPU |
1.108 MHz MOS Technology 6502 |
0.985 MHz MOS Technology 6510 |
| Board & chips |
? |
250425 motherboard
6569R3 VIC-II chip
6581 SID chip
|
| ROM |
20 KB |
20 KB |
| RAM |
5 KB |
64 KB |
| Disk |
170 KB (Floppy) |
170 KB (Floppy) |
| Connectivity |
RS-232
|
RS-232
|
| Removable media |
5.25" Floppy |
5.25" Floppy |
| Connectors |
Commodore IEEE-488
Commodore user port
Commodore cartridge port
Composite video (PAL)
Joystick port
|
Commodore IEEE-488
Commodore user port
Commodore cartridge port
Composite video (PAL)
2 x Joystick port
|
| Peripherals |
Atari CX40 style joystick
Commodore 1541C disk drive
VIC-1011A RS232C Terminal Type interface
VIC-1910 Radar Ratrace cartridge
VIC-1922 Cosmic Cruncher cartridge
|
Atari CX40 style joysticks
Commodore 1541C disk drive
VIC-1011A RS232C Terminal Type interface
C64 Dead Test 781220 cartridge
|
| Monitor |
Eyoyo 14" TFT-LED |
Eyoyo 14" TFT-LED |
| Power |
Modern PSU C64 B/EU
5 VDC / 4.0 A
9 VAC / 1.1 A
|
Modern PSU C64 B/EU
5 VDC / 4.0 A
9 VAC / 1.1 A
|
| Application |
Gaming
Programming
|
Gaming
Programming
|
Last updated: 2024-10-10 00:07 (EET)