Buzz
AbacusBasic is a discreet computer housed within the frame of a keyboard, crafted by Pentaform (headquartered in London, UK). Pentaform aims to provide computer accessibility to everyone with the affordable price tag of $150 for the AbacusBasic. Notably, the product is environmentally friendly.
If you recall, back in late February 2022, Apple filed a new patent titled 'Computer in an input device,' outlining a keyboard with Mac computer components inside, requiring connection to an external monitor to function. The concept of a computer within a keyboard is not entirely new; in the 80s, we had products like the Amiga provided by Commodore International. Pentaform seems to have outpaced Apple in bringing this concept to reality with a specific device, set to be released in June 2022.
According to Pentaform, AbacusBasic stands as the most affordable computer globally. The product boasts a design resembling a standard office keyboard, featuring a touchpad on the right side. Hidden beneath is a computer system equipped with a processor, RAM, storage, and all necessary components for operation. Connecting AbacusBasic to an external monitor via HDMI is essential for use.
In addition to its price, another noteworthy aspect of AbacusBasic is its environmental friendliness. The outer frame, with a thickness of 3.5 mm, is crafted from recycled ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic, known for its biodegradable, sturdy, and resource-efficient qualities. Notably, the internal components are designed for easy repair or recycling. Pentaform also states that the energy consumption of AbacusBasic is 31 kWh per year, equivalent to just a 3 W LED light bulb.
The mainboard of AbacusBasic is customized for a compact size, resulting in carbon emissions during production being 22 times less than a standard ATX mainboard. The product's configuration includes an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 (Cherry Trail) processor with 4 cores, a base clock of 1.44 GHz, and Turbo Boost up to 1.84 GHz. It features Intel HD Graphics Generation 8, optional dual-channel LPDDR3-1866 RAM configurations of 2/4/8 GB, eMMC storage ranging from 16 GB to 128 GB, and a microSD slot supporting up to 512 GB. AbacusBasic connectivity includes WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, HDMI 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, USB 3.0 OTG, USB 2.0, USB Type-C (supporting Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and Power Delivery 2.0), and Gigabit Ethernet.
Pentaform's keyboard-embedded computer is compatible with Windows 7, 10, 11, Windows App Store, and supports all Linux Distributions. Windows, particularly versions 10 and 11, might exhibit slight sluggishness; hence, Linux emerges as a more sensible operating system. It aptly meets the needs targeted by AbacusBasic: web browsing, programming, text editing, video watching, and more. Nevertheless, Pentaform will pre-install Windows 10 on the device before delivering it to customers.As mentioned earlier, the selling price for AbacusBasic is £120. However, subscribers can enjoy a 20% discount if they sign up with their name and email address on Pentaform's platform.Pentaform
