Best of Hardware — September 2025

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    Article
    Avatar of collectionsCollections·36w

    Transforming a Disposable Vape into a Functional Web Server

    A creative hardware project successfully repurposed a disposable vape's PY32F002B microcontroller (24MHz ARM Cortex-M0+, 24KB flash, 3KB RAM) into a functional web server. Using semihosting communication, SLIP protocol for networking, and the uIP TCP/IP stack, the project achieved 20ms ping times and 160ms page load times through careful optimization including ring buffers. This demonstrates the potential of transforming resource-constrained everyday electronics into versatile computing devices.

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    Video
    Avatar of lauriewiredLaurieWired·35w

    What if Humanity forgot how to make CPUs?

    A thought experiment exploring what would happen if humanity lost the ability to manufacture CPUs. The scenario traces the gradual decline of modern computing over 30 years, from cloud infrastructure failures to internet fragmentation, highlighting how older hardware with larger node sizes would outlast modern chips due to electromigration. The piece examines how software optimization would become critical, vintage computing would resurge, and society would eventually revert to 1970s-80s era technology.

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    Article
    Avatar of thevergeThe Verge·35w

    Logitech’s new light-powered keyboard doesn’t even need the sun

    Logitech launches the Signature Slim Solar Plus K980, a $99.99 keyboard that charges exclusively through light sources including artificial light at 200 lux minimum. The keyboard features a 10-year battery life, 4-month usage in darkness when fully charged, user-replaceable battery, and includes an AI Launch key for accessing Copilot or ChatGPT. It supports three Bluetooth device connections and offers customizable function keys through Logitech's Options Plus app.

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    Article
    Avatar of jeffgeerlingJeff Geerling·35w

    I regret building this $3000 Pi AI cluster

    A detailed analysis of building a $3000 Raspberry Pi cluster using 10 Compute Blades with CM5 modules, comparing its performance against more expensive alternatives. The cluster achieved 325 Gflops in HPC benchmarks but struggled with AI workloads, delivering only 0.28 tokens per second for large language models. Despite being energy efficient and compact, the Pi cluster offers poor price-to-performance ratio compared to traditional desktop hardware, making it suitable only for niche use cases requiring high node density or physical separation.

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    Article
    Avatar of thevergeThe Verge·34w

    Keychron mechanical keyboards are up to 62 percent off

    Woot is offering significant discounts on Keychron mechanical keyboards, with savings up to 62% off. Featured deals include the wired V1 for $45, hot-swappable Q7 for $75, and various full-size and compact models. The sale covers both wired and wireless options with different switch types and RGB lighting features.

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    Article
    Avatar of medium_jsMedium·35w

    Don’t buy GPUs for AI

    GPUs are becoming unnecessary for most AI applications as smaller language models like Mistral 7B and Phi-3 Mini deliver practical results on CPUs. Modern processors, edge devices with NPUs, and cloud rental options provide cost-effective alternatives to expensive GPU ownership. Specialized hardware like TPUs and software optimizations through quantization are making GPUs obsolete for all but the largest model training operations.

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    Article
    Avatar of 80lv80 LEVEL·36w

    This Website Runs on Disposable Vape

    A developer successfully hosted a website on a disposable vape's microcontroller using SLIP protocol. The initial implementation was extremely slow with 1.5s pings and 50% packet loss, but optimization with ring buffers improved performance to 20ms pings and 160ms page loads. The project demonstrates creative hardware repurposing and embedded systems programming.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·37w

    sam henri gold on X: "Did you know your MacBook has a sensor that knows the exact angle of the screen hinge? It’s not exposed as a public API, but I figured out a way to read it and make it sound like

    A developer discovered how to access MacBook's hidden screen hinge angle sensor through undocumented methods and created a creative audio application that makes the laptop sound like an old wooden door when opening and closing.

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    Article
    Avatar of koaningVincent D. Warmerdam·35w

    framework mechanical keyboard

    A YouTube video showcases the Campus, a custom laptop built on the Framework platform that features a completely redesigned chassis housing a gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard with Kailh Choc switches and three rotary encoders. The Framework laptop's repairable design makes it highly hackable and customizable for enthusiast-grade modifications.

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    Article
    Avatar of omgubomg! ubuntu!·34w

    Meet the Coolest (and Most Expensive) Raspberry Pi Ever

    Raspberry Pi launched the Pi 500+, a premium keyboard PC featuring mechanical switches, RGB backlighting, and built-in SSD storage. Priced at $200/£175, it's the most expensive Raspberry Pi device yet, targeting enthusiasts who want better build quality and tactile experience. The device includes Gateron KS-33 Blue switches, customizable LED lighting, 16GB RAM, 256GB NVMe storage, and an aluminum heatsink for thermal management.

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    Article
    Avatar of jeffgeerlingJeff Geerling·36w

    CubeSats are fascinating learning tools for space

    CubeSats are small, standardized satellites that can be built using affordable components like Raspberry Pi computers and microcontrollers. These cube-shaped satellites have democratized space access, reducing costs from millions to thousands of dollars for construction and $85,000 for launch. Students and educators can now build functional CubeSats for STEM learning, with kits available from companies like MySat and Robinson Aerospace. The post explores various CubeSat projects, including educational initiatives, security research platforms, and actual space missions like SilverSat launching on a Falcon 9 rocket.

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