The pre-orders seem to just be commitments, like a less streamlined Kickstarter, rather than an attempt to get money up front.
As for "computer" both projects seem to be using that term for a credit card sized board without even a case. The core parts of both however are already in use in mass-manufacture products. The article seems to talk about the core chip and the Rhombus package containing it interchangeably.
The Rhombus idea seems to be putting the the chip into a modular package with a standard interface from which you can build upgradeable tablets or computers, as well as just use it standalone.
Comments
The pre-orders seem to just be commitments, like a less streamlined Kickstarter, rather than an attempt to get money up front.
As for "computer" both projects seem to be using that term for a credit card sized board without even a case. The core parts of both however are already in use in mass-manufacture products. The article seems to talk about the core chip and the Rhombus package containing it interchangeably.
The Rhombus idea seems to be putting the the chip into a modular package with a standard interface from which you can build upgradeable tablets or computers, as well as just use it standalone.