I bought a CHIP computer (http://getchip.com/).  $9.

4GB NAND, 512MB RAM, just 640×480 SVideo out, but capable of 720p, runs linux.

Generally more powerful than any computer I owned until the mid-late 90’s.

No, I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.  Possibilities include media server (using external USB drive), wireless music gateway (someone has written an itunes capable playback package), or maybe even some hardware hacking using the pinouts.

When Microsoft shipped the XBox and Apple shipped the iPhone I started to lament that there would be no more open computing devices.  The manufacturing process was just too complicated.  But now there are little kickstarters that can spin up a complete general purpose computer for dirt cheap.

Color me relieved.