IBM has made the world's smallest standalone computer - and it's tiny

The tech giant has unveiled what has been hailed as "the world's smallest computer", a unit that measures just 1mm x 1mm, which is about the size of a grain of salt.

By AFP Relaxnews / 21 Mar 2018

AFP Relaxnews, ibm, Tech

Share this article

The new prototype device, which is fully standalone, is composed of several hundred thousand transistors, a live memory, and a photovoltaic power supply. And it not only features a tiny form factor, its production cost, of around 10 cents per unit according to IBM, is also minuscule. The device was unveiled at IBM's Think 2018 conference.

Each of these computers will have the processing power of a 1990s x86 desktop. Not surprisingly the devices will not offer exceptional performance, but will be sufficient to record blockchain data to combat fraud. The goal is to attach them to tags, or even insert them into products, so that they can prove authenticity and record tracking information.

Take a look inside the world's smallest computer:

AFP Relaxnews, ibm, Tech