#64 How to Convert a USB Charger Into a Linux Computer

In this article, I’m going to tell you about how to make a little Linux computer from a USB charger. I absolutely loved Chris Robinson’s article on NODE and I instantly thought of sharing this DIY with our Powertechknowledge readers. It’s a truly portable Linux computer, and I came across it yesterday when I was reading some Linux news on the web. 

Read more articles about Linux computer http://powertechknowledge.blogspot.in/2015/09/60-worlds-first-9-computer-chip-is.html

In the past, Chris has made projects like handheld Raspberry Pi powered Linux terminal and this Linux computer project is even smaller. This Linux computer fits inside a modified USB charger plug and runs on a very small power.

This design uses ODROID-W development board, which is Raspberry Pi and Raspbian compatible. You’ll also be needing a USB charger with US, UK and EU attachments make it usable in all countries. Other materials include a WI-Fi adapter, a micro SD card and few other small things.

Assembling all these requirements isn’t much tough if you have a basic knowledge of soldering.

You just have to plug in the charger and stay in the WiFi range. Chris writes that you can use if for applications like running a personal file/media server, a TOR relay, a Bitcoin node, your personal VPN, a silent motion alarm with the RPi Camera, a pentesting tool, or simply a remote use Linux system.

Besides WiFi, you can use a USB ethernet adapter to connect it physically. Since, you’ll be working with electrical components, follow instructions of Chris closely.

If you are interested in making this little Linux computer from a USB charger, follow this link for NODE’s detailed tutorial.

Did you like this portable Linux computer from a USB charger DIY? Tell us in the comments below.

#60 World’s First $9 Computer CHIP is Shipping Today

If you found $35 a lot to spend on a Raspberry Pi for a computer, you would have loved the $9 computer CHIP. CHIP houses a 1GHz All winners R8 single-core processor, 4GB on-board storage and 512MB DDR3 RAM coupled with WiFi and Bluetooth built-in.

Earlier this year, Next Thing Co. launched a kick-started campaign to fund this project, and now its team has announced that the first CHIP computers are shipping to the Kernel Hacker Backers.

The world’s first $9 computer is an innovative open hardware project, powered by an open source software. The specifications of an entry-level computer and the price tag of $9 makes it one the best platforms for developers.

Currently, Next Thing Co. is shipping the Alpha CHIP and its shipping without any firmware. However, there are detailed instructions for flashing the software onto the CHIP.

If you’ve backed the project earlier at the Kernel Hacker Backer level on Kickstarter, you’ll be getting two CHIP computers. The second batch of CHIP computer will ship in mid-October.

Apart from the earlier mentioned hardware specifications, CHIP features a composite video port, a USB port, a micro USB port and other developer pins for hooking up hardware.

If you’ve missed the chance of grabbing a CHIP on the Kickstarter campaign, you can pre-order CHIP from the Next Thing Co. website.