We live in the golden age of micro PCs, despite speculation and the lack of stock of Raspberry Pi. They are getting smaller and more powerful. But here you have an exception: Naoto64, a micro PC with a 1-bit CPU.
This single board computer (SBC) is not enough to stand up to the Raspberry Pi 5, since its functions are very limited. But that doesn’t mean that it sold out in Japan instantly. Why does it arouse so much interest?
Naoto64 has been manufactured by the Japanese company Switch Scienceand has a price of 2,500 yen, which in exchange is 16 euros. Although it was announced a long time ago, the commercial version is now launched. Let’s see its characteristics.
Naoto64, the micro PC with a 1-bit processor
According to the Japanese website PC watch, this SBC “boasts” of the aforementioned 1-bit CPU at a speed of only 1 Hzwith a bandwidth of 1 bit, an addressing space of 2 bits, and a 4 bit ROM. Also an LED light.
The only modern element it incorporates is a USB-C connector, to connect the power adapter or battery.
You can only use two instructions, ADD and JMP (add and jump), a single arithmetic operation, XOR.
With this hardware, the only thing you can do is turn on, turn off, or flash an LED. And she is already there.
One of its key points is that, to do this, no need to program. Each function can be adjusted with four DIP switches or small switches on the motherboard.
And what can a micro PC that only manages an LED be used for? The truth is that It can be very useful in environments with power limitations, heat limitations, and other extreme situations.. Naoto64 requires very little power, does not heat up, and can be programmed to change the LED from on to off, or flashing, as required.
Naoto64, the micro PC with a 1-bit CPU only costs 16 euros, and has been sold out in Japan. You don’t always need a “powerful” Raspberry Pi 5 to complete certain tasks…
