If you don't want to buy your own Tulip CC, there are four ways to start building and using your own Tulip Creative Computer.
- No hardware for me, I want to just run Tulip Desktop on my desktop computer for now. Use this option if you're just curious about Tulip and want to try it out. If you get into it, you can then upgrade to real hardware!
- I just want to build a temporary Tulip with hookup wires and a breadboard. Do this if you aren't great at soldering or just want to quickly throw a Tulip together. It won't be very stable and will be hard to move or use portably, as there's many wires. But it'll work!
- I can solder through-hole just fine and want to build a more reliable Tulip with your breakout board PCB. Do this if you are competent at thru-hole soldering and want to make a reliable Tulip by soldering together other breakout boards. You can buy a cheap PCB that bridges together all the things you need. It's more bulky than our integrated Tulip board, but works just the same.
- I want to build a single board Tulip and know how to solder SMT or use a service that assembles one for me. This is the deluxe option: a fully integrated Tulip board with connectors for a display, audio, MIDI and keyboard. Like a Raspberry Pi but it's Tulip. But you'll need either good soldering skills (many small SMT parts and the FPC connector) or use a service like JLCPCB, PCBway, or Aisler to assemble the board for you.
When you're done building your Tulip Creative Computer, next learn how to compile and flash the firmware.
Any questions? Chat with us on our discussions page.