Summary of MAKERLISP MACHINE – AN EXPANDABLE EZ80 CPU CARD RUNNING BARE-METAL LISP
The MakerLisp Machine is a portable, modular computer system combining modern hardware with a vintage computing feel. It features a business card-sized eZ80 CPU running bare-metal Lisp, expandable via a main board to include an LCD monitor, keyboard, and prototyping breadboard. Designed for students, educators, and hobbyists, it facilitates learning computer science fundamentals without external development tools. The system supports USB keyboards, VGA monitors, and micro-SD storage, offering a self-contained environment for electronics experimentation and classic micro-computer emulation at 50 MHz.
Parts used in the MakerLisp Machine:
- 2" x 3.5" business card-sized CPU card
- 2" x 8" main expansion board
- 3D-printed or laser-cut wood enclosure
- Small keyboard
- LCD monitor
- Breadboard for prototyping
- USB/UART bridge
- FAT filesystem micro-SD card
- VGA Display controller (available as accessory)
- USB controller (available as accessory)
Classic computing on modern hardware: an expandable eZ80 CPU card running bare-metal Lisp.
The MakerLisp machine is a portable, modular computer system, designed to recapture the feel of classic computing, with modern hardware.
The machine centers on a 2” x 3.5” business card-sized CPU, which can be used stand-alone, or plugged in to a 2” x 8” main board, for expansion into a full computer system. A 3D-printed, or laser-cut wood, enclosure holds a small keyboard, an LCD monitor, the circuit boards, and a prototyping area with a breadboard for electronics experimentation and development.
The MakerLisp Machine is a vehicle for students and educators who want to learn, create, and explore fundamentals of computer science and digital electronics, in a small, self-contained system. It’s also great for hobbyists and enthusiasts of vintage computing.
Specifications
- 50 MHz eZ80 CPU
- 256 k code flash memory
- 1 Mb zero wait state RAM
- USB/UART bridge
- Battery-backed real-time calendar clock
- FAT filesystem micro-SD card
- Connector for prototyping/expansion board gives access to GPIOs, USB keyboard, and VGA Display (prototyping/expansion, USB controller, and VGA controller boards available as accessories)
What can you do with the MakerLisp Machine?
Learn Lisp, in an implementation and dialect made just for “Lisp on Bare Metal” educational/DIY projects. With its built-in USB/UART connection to a terminal emulator, and a micro-SD card for your files, put it in your shirt pocket and take your “Lisp world” with you wherever you go.
Plug the CPU card into the expansion board and start using the GPIOs and the Lisp-we-know to control, communicate with, and learn about, electronics and I/O devices. The MakerLisp Machine is an apt vehicle for fundamental computer science and digital electronics education. And the software development environment is completely self-contained, no downloading and flashing of your programs, no other computer and development tools or software required.
Connect any USB keyboard and any VGA monitor, and have a late 70’s/early 80’s classic micro-computer, with modern hardware, but an unmistakably vintage feel. The eZ80 processor is a binary-compatible, extended Z80. This machine is a great playground for CP/M enthusiasts. On the eZ80, running at 50 MHz, your favorite programs will be FAST.
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- What is the primary purpose of the MakerLisp Machine?
It serves as a vehicle for students, educators, and hobbyists to learn computer science fundamentals and digital electronics. - Can I run programs on this machine without another computer?
Yes, the software development environment is completely self-contained and requires no other computer or flashing tools. - How fast does the processor run?
The eZ80 processor runs at 50 MHz, making favorite programs fast. - What type of programming language does it support?
It runs a specific implementation and dialect of Lisp designed for bare-metal educational projects. - Does the machine support external input devices?
Yes, you can connect any USB keyboard and any VGA monitor to use it like a classic micro-computer. - Is there storage available for files?
Yes, it includes a FAT filesystem micro-SD card for storing files. - Can I experiment with electronics on this device?
Yes, the enclosure holds a prototyping area with a breadboard for electronics experimentation and development. - Is the CPU compatible with older systems?
The eZ80 processor is binary-compatible with the extended Z80, making it suitable for CP/M enthusiasts.
