Unveiling the EndBOX – A microcomputer prototype for EndBASIC

Summary

ReadyRUN "BLOG"> Unveiling the EndBOX█Published on: June 6, 2025 Remember when turning a computer on meant instantly jumping into code? No bloat, no distractions—just you and a prompt? That’s the experience I’ve been working to bring back with the EndBOX: a small, resilient, nostalgia-packed, all-screen computer that boots straight into the retro-inspired EndBASIC environment you already know.And today, six months after its inception, I’m excited to formally show you the first working prototypes—though they are still rough and need refinement. Let’s dive into the goals for the EndBOX and what it could become with your help.💾 Sponsor the EndBOXWho is the EndBOX for?First and foremost, the EndBOX is for the hacker types: those of you who love tinkering with systems, languages, and hardware. But more specifically, the EndBOX caters to those who grew up with simpler computers and know that, to truly understand the fundamentals of computing, you have to experience them from the ground up with as few layers of abstraction as possible.That said, EndBASIC has always been about providing a learning tool for coding. That was my original goal when I set out to create this language, and that goal is still very much alive. So… the EndBOX can also cater to educators as an all-in-one platform to teach kids how to program through a toy that feels personal.What makes the EndBOX special?The EndBOX is intended to be a small, portable device that bundles:an embedded computer board,a tablet-sized screen, anda slim OS that boots straight into EndBASIC.Why a screen and not a keyboard though? After all, old BASIC machines from the 1980s bundled the computer into the keyboard and let you supply the TV—I mean monitor. Personally, I feel this is not the best form factor in this day and age of touch screens. I want the device to feel playful. And I want to give you the freedom to connect different input peripherals as you see fit.Put another way: the EndBOX aims to offer a standalone devi...