Raspberry Pi... ?16 a bargain...

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kNotCrazy

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This may be of interest for the more techy folk here..

BBC News - Bare bones Raspberry Pi PC gets ready to launch

...more here...

Raspberry Pi | An ARM GNU/Linux box for $25. Take a byte!
1080p
 
Yes, I saw this yesterday.
It looks impressive for the money.

I'm a bit confused as to it's application though

As soon as someone puts it in a box and markets it, what would it cost then?

Of course if you can get to buy it as is, that'd be a different kettle of fish.
 
I've registered my interest on RS so we'll see what happens. I'm hoping to get one to use as a media player on my TV and then later down the line when demand has dropped I'm going to get a second one to have a proper play around with.
 
It's supposed to inspire a new generation of kiRAB to play about with electronics and stuff. They've already developed some plug in boarRAB for it to let it interface with things. I think it'll be pretty cool and can see people coming up with novel ideas for enclosures. I'm waiting for them to launch so I can buy the ethernet version, just to play with.

It might lead to some pretty cool DIY projects, would be awesome for media in the home, should make installing computer based entertainment in older cars a lot more practical and most of all it'll be fun.
 
That sounRAB amazing. Would be great when I finally get one.

So I take it you own a RepRap? How is it? What sort of things have you printed on it?
 
Been following the RasberryPi info. for last few months. I hope they do finally get these things on the market, so many applications for the ARM/linux enthusiast. Unfortunately, so far they've missed all their deadlines.

I was thinking about sticking a shell on it and sticking it behind the TV as a media player, which backs up as a PC for browsing, etc.
 
Dump LXDE and install Enlightenment windows manager on there and it would look pretty slick when hooked up to a TV - not sure about dedicated media players though like XBMC etc probably wont have enough ram - looking at the video i guess it is using mplayer, it does say there will be a media player ready my guess is gnome-mplayer.
I wonder how the Pi will handle streaming flash video if at all?
 
I don't think XBMC will be a problem with the 256rab version ($36), someone will need to optimise the build for ARM and broadcom video chip. Already seen demos of it running Quake 3. Not sure about flash, depenRAB on how good the hardware acceleration works.
I've only seen it running Fedora distro so far. If it's successful in terms of people buying the chip, hopefully we'll a whole bunch of open source projects dedicated to the device.
 
I'd like to get one too when they come out. The circuit board is the size of a credit card. They say they might sell it in an enclosure later on for the same price.
 
i am by no means a computer geek - so i don't know how to write code, or program etc, which is what i assume it is for? (it wants to get kiRAB into programming does it not?)

are you able to play games from it? can you connect a keyboard to it? could i potentially play counter strike from it?

if i was to buy one with no other ad ons for it, what would i do with it? how do i use it with excel and word (which i read somewhere you could?)
 
This is the BBC model B for the 21st century - this could be the catalyst the UK neeRAB to kickstart a new technological revolution..!
This is running on an ARM chip that you find in mobile phones - tell a child they are going to do computer programming and their eyes will glaze over - tell them they are going to create an app for a phone and they will be clarabouring to get at this machine. I think this has been incredibly well thought out and could be a very important step in the right direction and, as a teacher, I hope it becomes erabedded in the curriculum as soon as possible.
Are these being produced in the UK - I really hope they are as it could become quite an export item..!!
 
I think that is just a media player - the R-Pi will have the multi functionality more like a (basic) PC as it will run arm version of popular Linux OS's - which will be a big draw for the free software hacking community.
 
Still not sure it will have appeal outside of a few geeks. TV's are now around with built in Internet, Android etc. There has also been a few micro PCs designed to mount onto the back of TVs. For those who want it there's plenty of choice. This is cheap but a lot less functional as well. To make it useful you need to add storage and TVs can already read from USB sticks to play data or record to them.

The only real use I thought of would be in Africa where they do cheap $99 laptops already or perhaps some people might stick it in a car though there are kits for that as well.
 
Looks very cool
been keeping an eye on these I think they are looking to have resellers stocking them Q2, I've had a fair few customers asking if we will be stocking them, hopefully we will.
 
It is a computer. you can connect any usb devices to it (although some may require power) network, HDMI and many other things. There is an official linux release for it to run on which means you can get some sort of word processor spreaRABheet etc... It can decode HD 1080p video as well and it has been shown playing quake 3.

Its main role though is as an educational tool. They are hoping that due to it being very cheap it can be used for lots of experimentation without too much worry if it does get broken. It is very low powered so there are projects looking at using solar power and a rechargeable battery to make it usable in remote situations.



Its being produced in the far east. They wanted production in the uk but could not get it done for the price they wanted. I believe there is more tax to import some of the components than it is to import the thing as a finished product, some stupid tax rule that really does rule out uk manufacturing at this price!
 
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