An entire computer embedded in a keyboard: this is the newest release, called AbacusBasic, from the English startup Pentaform. The gadget that went on pre-sale last Saturday (18) by manufacturer websitecomes with Windows 10 and VGA and HDMI outputs, to connect to any monitor turning it into a screen solution.
Image: Pentaform Computers
By focusing on being a functional computer with the least possible environmental impact, the purpose of the invention is to make computing accessible, such as making online learning available, watching a video or doing research on the web. Therefore, it is far from pleasing the most demanding gamers or serving as a workstation for design professionals, for example.
In a feat of miniaturization, manufacturers were able to accommodate all the components of a PC in addition to integrating a touchpad into the keyboard itself, all the peripherals needed to browse the web in a single product for the price of US$ 150 (R$ 787.50). , in direct conversion).
Image: Pentaform Computers
As for the technical specifications, the AbacusBasic comes equipped with a quad-core processor with up to 4GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, a set of USB ports, an ethernet port, HDMI and VGA outputs, and a built-in speaker. The OS is on account of Windows 10, which comes pre-installed (there is support for Linux distros as well), in addition to the promise of the computer to support monitors with a resolution of up to 4K.
“Unlike most technologies, AbacusBasic considers the planet to be one of its primary beneficiaries,” Pentaform co-founder Joon Sang Lee wrote in an email to TechCrunch. “In a world where 4.2 billion people still don’t have access to computers, creating more computers is not the answer.” Creating better, eco-conscious computers is.”
In addition to ecological awareness, with low power consumption (75% less compared to other desktops on the market), the company claims that the laptop was designed to last for years of daily use, being designed from the beginning to the end of the machine’s journey.
For makers on duty, smart design should please: the outer casing can be easily separated from the inner hardware. They can be retrofitted, reused or recycled, while the keyboard body, which is injection molded from a biodegradable polymer, is expected to biodegrade.
Image: Pentaform Computers
An x-ray of the ‘computer keyboard’
- Processor
64-bit Quad Core X86 processor, with single-board architecture.
Intel Atom x5-Z8350 Cherry TrailQuad-core processor @ 1.44 GHz – 1.84 GHz (Turbo) custom.
- Graphic
Intel Gen8 HD graphics @ 500 MHz.
- Memory
LPDDR3 64bit dual channel LPDDR3@1866Mb/s, with 2GB/4GB/8GB options.
- Storage
eMMC module for storage, with available options ranging from 16GB-128GB.
μSD card, with μSD slot that supports μSD card up to 512GB.
- connectivity
InfiniteConnect — Dedicated 2.4Ghz wireless keyboard connection.
WIFI 802.11 ac 2.5Ghz/5Ghz and Bluetooth 4.2.
- doors
HDMI 2.0 up to 4k@30.
3.5mm jack with microphone — HD codec that supports up to 24-bit/96 KHz audio.
USB 3.0 OTG X1, hardware switch for each host/bottom device.
USB 2.0 HOST X2.
GbE LAN with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support additional HAT is required for power from PoE.
USB-C, support USB Type-C PD 2.0, 9V/2A, 12V/2A, 15V/2A, 20V/2A.
Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM: Support QC 3.0/2.0, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A adapter.
- GPIO
40-pin expansion header.
2x UART.
2 x SPI buses.
2 x I2C buses.
1x PCM/I2S.
1x SPDIF.
2x PWM.
1 x ADC.
6 x GPIO.
2 x DC 5V power supply.
2 x 3.3V DC power supply.
- OS and Apps
Compatible with:
Microsoft Windows 7, 10 and 11.
Microsoft App Store.
Support for all Linux distros.
