AVR Laptop Runs FreeRTOS on ATmega2560 With Custom LCD Driver
Vladimir's AVR Laptop project runs FreeRTOS on an 8-bit ATmega2560 and plays 24 fps video with sound using a custom ST7920 driver.
Vladimir's AVR Laptop project, which runs a FreeRTOS-based system on an ATmega2560 8-bit microcontroller, was featured in a Hackaday write-up. The story appeared on October 4, 2026, and describes a working laptop built around the 8-bit chip.
The system uses a custom driver for an ST7920 128x64 monochrome LCD instead of a standard library. According to Hackaday, the project reaches 24 fps video playback with sound in 1-bit color.
The code for the AVR Laptop is pending review before release. A demo video of the machine in action is embedded in the article.
8-bit machines doing more
SymbOS for the Z80 was previously noted for making an 8-bit machine do unexpected things. An AVR web server has also been seen before for sysadmins.
Quick answers
What hardware does the AVR Laptop use?
It runs a FreeRTOS-based system on an ATmega2560 8-bit microcontroller, with a custom driver for an ST7920 128x64 monochrome LCD.
Can it play video?
Yes — the project achieves 24 fps video playback with sound in 1-bit color.
Is the code available?
The code is pending review before release.