Thinking about developing a compact project but feeling that the available hardware isn't powerful enough? Are the traditional Arduino boards not an option due to space constraints? The web is full of compatible clones, but one of the most popular options, frequently mentioned in DIY forums, is the Teensy. Its developer decided to fund the versions 3.5 and 3.6 through Kickstarter, and it looks like we'll soon have two models much more powerful than their predecessors.
I think all NeoTeo readers (or at least most) know about my preference for mechanical keyboards. These characters reach your screens thanks to a wide variety of technologies, but they started on an old, sturdy, and very dirty IBM Model M, which I should clean before an alien civilization forms between its keys. I've also been thinking about "building" my own mechanical keyboard. Yes, it's not crazy: you can make your own keyboard, and once you understand the theory behind the process (which is essentially how any keyboard works), it's not that complicated (though it does take time). Obviously, you need some components, and one of the most popular is the Teensy, whose 2.0 version acts as a controller in many designs.
Now, the Teensy 2.0 is sufficient for a keyboard, but in other projects it falls far short. Its manufacturer has released versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2, based on ARM Cortex chips, which reach a respectable 72 MHz. However, if the project demands going even higher, we have good news.
The Next Generation of Teensy
Within a few months, we'll see the Teensy 3.5 and 3.6 on sale. Both are by far the most powerful in the family: the 3.6 features an ARM Cortex-M4 chip at 180 MHz with a floating-point unit, 256 KB of RAM, one megabyte of Flash, and two USB ports, one of which can be used in host mode to connect pen drives, keyboards, and other accessories. The 3.5 version is a more affordable variant, dropping the frequency to 120 MHz, RAM to 192 KB, and Flash memory to 512 KB. This version also eliminates the secondary USB port but retains all other options. Both Teensy boards were designed to maintain pin compatibility with previous 3.x models.
The Teensy boards are making their rounds on Kickstarter, and as expected, the campaign exploded. The goal was only five thousand dollars, and with a week still to go, it already has over 150 thousand. Quick prices: $23 for the Teensy 3.5, and $28 for the 3.6. The Teensy boards were never the cheapest alternatives, but there's compatibility, stability, and a good reputation in play. Shipping is worldwide, and if everything goes well, it should begin in October.
