8 Bit Computer; $12
From WIRED: $12 Computer: Playpower Wants to Save the World 8 Bits at a Time SAN JOSE, California — The Apple II computer is long gone, but its heart beats on in the developing world, where 8-bit computers sell for as little as $12. Now, computer scientists see a way of using those ubiquitous, primitive PCs to help kids learn — by playing games. "It is about bringing affordable computer learning to the 90 percent of learners in the world who can’t afford a $1,000 or even a $100 computer," says Derek Lomas, who is leading the Playpower.org team. …. The $12 computing system itself defies conventional expectations of what a computer today should be. The soul of the Apple II and a geek microprocessor favorite of the 1970s, the 8-bit 6502 processor is the heart of these computers. It is small enough to be contained within a full-size keyboard and sold for mere dollars. The keyboa...
