Once upon a time keyboard computers were very popular, and some companies have tried to bring keyboard computers back to market in the last few years with limited success. PiPo is giving it a try too with PiPo K1 keyboard PC powered by an Intel Atom Bay Trail processor.
PiPO K1 preliminary specifications:
- SoC – Intel Atom Bay trail processor (likely Z3735F or Z3736F)
- System Memory – 2GB
- Storage – 32 or 64 eMMC + micro SD port
- Keyboard – QWERTY with multi-touch touchpad
- Video Output – HDMI and VGA
- Audio – Stereo speakers
- Connectivity – Ethernet and WiFi
- USB – 2x USB host ports
- Misc – Power button
- Battery – Maybe…
- Power – TBD
The keyboard should be pre-installed with Windows 10, and the touchpad support gestures like pinch and zoom. There may also be a battery to be able to use the keyboard from the sofa while connected to WiFi, and using Miracast. PiPO K1 should be available next month, but pricing has not been decided/announced yet. PiPO marketing team must have limited imagination or/and memory, as there’s already a PiPo K1 page, but it’s for a Mediatek based tablet…
Via Netbook Italia
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
Woohoo, they’re back , the keyboard PC is back … I remember a keyboard PC being my first PC, powered by a Z80 clone with 64K … ah those were the days.
Wrong color and does not come with a C64 emulator preinstalled 😉
@FransM
Haha, mine was black so it’s fine 😀 Besides I suppose you can always install a C64 emulator ( or a Z80 one probably )
The first computer I used was a Thomson T09 at school, then ZX81 at home, both keyboard computers.
Nice. If it is compatible with Ian Morrison’s Ubuntu treatment and priced right it will be very appealing.
I still have my Atari 520ST keyboard computer, but haven’t used it in years….
Yes, great memories… 😉
No floppy drive on the right side of the case? 🙂
@Marius Cirsta
Black? Hmmm… HC-85?
Device is too thick.
Black…
Not CBM style, of course, but it can approach the futuristic look of the “Sinclair QL”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_QL
What problem are they trying to solve here? Mini PC’s are so small now that you can glue them to the back of the monitor, so they’re not saving any desk space. What they did was make a lousy keyboard because it’s too thick. I think a good and thin BT 4.0 keyboard perhaps with an integrated touchpad would be better.
Two-years old post at this resource:
http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/02/21/coolship-is-a-89-rockchip-rk3066-android-keyboard-desktop-computer/
And where is it? 🙁
Another Bay trail keyboard computer (T20), expect it’s available right now for $169.99 @ http://www.banggood.com/T20-Keyboard-Dual-Boot-Intel-Windows-10-and-Android-4_4-Z3735F-Quad-Core-2GB-or-32GB-TV-Box-Mini-PC-p-1009408.html
These ones might be very convenient for micro-controller programming. Ideally they should
come with a serial port and a small battery allowing you to unplug it from one desk, move
it to the other one and replug it. Laptops are not convenient for such a use, you often
prefer to have a keyboard laying on top of all the junk you have on your desk and have the
display screwed to the wall.