Olimex deconstructed that $9 computer story a while back.
https://olimex.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/how-to-get-in-the-ne...
https://olimex.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/how-to-get-in-the-ne...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-wor...
Of course, time will tell...
Personally, I'd rather give my money to guys like Olimex anyway -- a notch more expensive, however these guys are /spotless/ at making everything as open as they can, and in fact, they probably 'suffer' for it as many companies seem to use their (open) designs commercially...