A Minimalist Portable Computer for Low-Level Purists

Programmers are accustomed to seeing keywords, constants, and other elements of their source code in different colors. This is just something that IDEs add for readability; it has no impact on the function of the code. However, when it comes to an old programming language called colorForth, the color of a statement actually determines how the compiler interprets it.

Weird, huh? Very much so, at least by today’s standards. But sometimes unusual systems are the most fun ones to play with. It is for this reason that New Tech Studio created a portable computer called BANDIT. Its design is also fittingly unusual. BANDIT takes the form of a split keyboard with a display in the center, and it runs colorForth on bare metal.

BANDIT was designed as a self-contained computing environment that rejects modern complexity in favor of immediacy and control. There’s no traditional operating system — no background processes, no multitasking overhead. Instead, users interact directly with the hardware through a tightly integrated software stack built around colorForth. This results in instant compilation and execution, allowing programmers to write code and see results without delay.

The computer is powered by an Allwinner F1C100s processor running at 700 MHz. Paired with 32MB of DRAM, BANDIT is optimized for running colorForth rather than raw power. Its 4-inch touchscreen LCD, running at 640×480 resolution, is split into virtual workspaces that let users code, draw pixel art, or compose music simultaneously.

One of the most distinctive features is the 32-key mechanical keyboard. Instead of a full QWERTY layout, BANDIT uses a chorded input system where multiple keys can be pressed together to form characters and commands. This design allows the entire keyboard state to be represented as a single 32-bit value, aligning perfectly with the system’s low-level philosophy.

Despite its minimalist approach, BANDIT is a pretty capable machine. It supports sprite-based graphics rendering at 60 frames per second, can output to larger displays via HDMI, and includes a software-driven six-channel FM synthesizer for music creation. Users can also work with PCM audio samples, turning the device into a portable sound workstation.

Connectivity is handled through an integrated ESP32-WROOM module, enabling wireless communication with other devices, including computers and even other BANDIT units. Storage options include a microSD card slot and network-based file sharing.

If you are looking for a platform that supports exploration, BANDIT is right up your alley. With tools like a built-in block-based memory editor, users can directly manipulate system memory — powerful, but not without risk. It’s entirely possible to crash the system with a wrong write, but that’s part of the experience.

BANDIT is available for $169.99 if you’d like to experience the world of colorForth in a unique way.