What is it?

ELLO 1A is a PIC32-based system, one of the simplest possible realisations of a fully functional computer with graphics, sound, I/O, and storage.

Although built from only 25 components, it offers a good educational overview of what a typical computing system consists of. It can also make a good and inexpensive, yet interesting hobby computing project.

Why did you make it?

I have explained in length the reasons behind ELLO on its webpage. Today it is fairly easy to build a small computing system by connecting to power one of the many embeddable modules on the market, however that won't be a "proper" build. I designed the ELLO to be simplest, yet built from atomic components only. It is also very unique in the sense of its built-in software.

What makes it special?

ELLO 1A is the only system which is built in the 80s retro style, but with a native C interpreter. It is also a unique two-in-one design, allowing use of either through-hole or surface-mount components on the same boards, so the user can build it with the component style they prefer. The system is thought in a way to make it a suitable and easy platform for hacking and further software experiments.