Surely few people thought that there are computers in the world whose dimensions do not exceed a bank card. Do you think this is unrealistic? But no. Similar PCs exist and, moreover, one of them was presented just this year. However, why not walk through all the famous models of "tiny" PCs? In today's article, we will talk about the smallest computers in the world. It will be interesting and informative. Go!
Chip
So, opens today's list, a computer from the company CHIP This device was created in 2015. The size of the computer is amazing - 45 x 30mm. Thus, the smallest computer in the world can be easily put in a wallet, pocket or matchbox.
The computer is based on the GR8 processor. The clock frequency is 1 GHz. The amount of RAM is 256/512 MB, and the hard drive has a capacity of up to 4 GB. There are also built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules.
CHIP is connected through a special motherboard on which there is a USB port. You can also connect an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, Ethernet cable to the board.
The creators of CHIP also assure that if you connect 1-2 wireless gamepads to their computer, then you can play many retro games that run from under DOS without problems. In general, the Chip is suitable for any simple office work, viewing multimedia files and other, not too difficult tasks without problems.
The cost of the PC at the moment is $ 16 (1000 rubles), excluding the motherboard.
Edison
The second smallest computer in the world to be discussed is Edison from Intel. The world-famous processor company could not stay away when small PCs began to appear in the world, and decided to give their answer. In 2014, the first presentation of Edison was held, and in 2015, mass sales have already started.
The dimensions of the computer from Intel are even smaller than those of the Chip - 35 x 25 mm. What did you manage to place on such a small piece of the board? Yes, in fact, the entire standard set: a processor with 2 Intel Atom Silvermont cores with a frequency of 500 MHz, 4 GB of memory for the drive, 1 GB of RAM and modules for wifi and bluetooth. The antenna for Wi-Fi, by the way, can be of two types - built-in and external.
Edison is installed on a special board that comes with the kit. The boards may be different, but the most common Arduino compatible. This computer connects quite easily through the USB ports on the board. Instead of the standard OS, you can install any custom one at your discretion.
According to the developer, Intel, a special application store will be created for Edison in the future, similar to Google Play or the Apple Store. The capabilities of the computer are also very good - it is suitable not only for work, but also for entertainment.
CuBox-I 4 x 4
In third place with the smallest computers in the world is the CuBox device. In appearance, it is more like a compact computer in a case. The dimensions of the "baby" are 50 x 50 x 50 mm. The case provides connectors for HDMI, mini-USB, Ethernet, USB, a slot for a micro-SD memory card and a connector for a power cable.
As for the technical characteristics, a chip from Freescale iMX6, built on the basis of the Cortex A9 architecture, is used here as a processor. Its clock frequency is 1.0-1.2 GHz. There is even a separate graphics chip that acts as a video accelerator - Vivante GC2000. PC RAM 4 GB. As for the hard drive, then it uses a micro-SD memory card. Included, by the way, is immediately an 8 GB card. Support for all wireless technologies is available. The "cube" works on the Android operating system, version 4. 4. Will there be an upgrade to 5. 1 or higher, alas, is unknown.
In terms of capabilities, CuBox is very comparable to tablets, only much better than them in terms of performance. The disadvantage, perhaps, is the lack of the ability to work directly with exe-files and reinstall the OS on any other. As for the cost, you can buy CuBox for 150-170 dollars (9500 - 10790 rubles).
Michigan micro mote
Michigan Micro Mote - the name of the smallest computer in the world, which is located on the penultimate place of today's list. Until recently, this particular device was considered the smallest. The dimensions of the Micro Mote are simply amazing - only 1 cubic mm. Even a seed or a grain of wheat is larger than this PC.
Nevertheless, what can Micro Mote boast of? Well, there is a Phoenix processor, which is divided into 2 parts. One acts as a CPU, and the other is directly responsible for peripherals, storage devices, and a power control unit.
This computer in its capabilities is more suitable for any industrial purposes or portable devices. In aggregate, it can play the role of various sensors, for example, for measuring temperature, pressure, etc. Also, a PC is able to take pictures, search for minerals and control various electronics. The computer "feeds", by the way, with the help of solar energy, so it is also environmentally friendly.
Ibm
Well, here we come to the last place, which proudly houses the smallest computer in the world from IBM. PC dimensions are 1 x 1 mm, which is even smaller than that of a crystal of the same salt.
Immediately it is worth saying that the main purpose of the device is industry, smart gadgets and other electronics. That is, using a computer at home will not work. The power of the PC, according to IBM developers, is comparable to the processors of the 90s, which is pretty good for such a device. The processor is equipped with hundreds of thousands of microtransistors, RAM type SRAM, a photomodule for power, an LED indicator for notifying and sending information, etc. It is interesting that the processor has a built-in blockchain module with which the computer works perfectly.
And here, in fact, a photo of the smallest computer in the world:
The developers also argue that their small computer can be used without problems as a chip for tracking mail, as a "brain" for controlling a smart home, car, aircraft, and, of course, as artificial intelligence, which so far can only do simple tasks such as sorting and processing data, but in the future, IBM promises to expand capabilities.