[URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16316439[/URL]
[QUOTE][B]The eagerly anticipated Raspberry Pi home computer is about to go into production.[/B]
The $25 (£16) machine is being created in the hope that it will inspire a new generation of technology whizz kids.
The Pi uses an Arm chip similar to that found in mobile phones and is intended to run a version of the Linux open source operating system.
Test versions of finished devices are being checked and if all is well volume production will start in January.
The idea for Raspberry Pi came from video game veteran David Braben who was searching for a way to inspire young people to start a career in technology.
Mr Braben got his start in games thanks to the BBC Micro on which he, and school friend Ian Bell, created pioneering computer game Elite.
The development of Raspberry Pi has been watched closely and the organisation took to its blog on 23 December to report that the first finished circuit boards had arrived.
The batch of bare bones circuit boards are the first to be populated with all the components making up the finished device. The batch is undergoing electrical, software and hardware testing to ensure all is well in the production process.
"Once we're happy that this test run is fine, we'll be pushing the button immediately on full-scale manufacture in more than one factory," [URL="http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/422"]wrote Liz Upton on the blog[/URL].
The finished device will be sold in two configurations. A Model A for $25 (£16) which lacks a network connector and a Model B for $35 (£22) which does have an Ethernet socket.
Ms Upton said if the tests go well the first batch of 10 boards will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Raspberry Pi initially intended to finish its machine by the end of 2011. However, it said, delays in development meant it was now about three weeks behind schedule.
Despite this, it anticipates that people will be able to place orders for the gadgets in early January. No pre-orders have been taken because the organisation said it did not want to take anyone's cash without having something to hand over in return.
[/QUOTE]
i wonder what a cheap computer like this could be capable of.
What graphics card will it come with and how much RAM?
[QUOTE=Primus;33861034]i wonder what a cheap computer like this could be capable of.[/QUOTE]Linux console. Fun for the whole family.
I wonder if it'll run a certain game program, in which you shoot aliens and Koreans on an island, that has become particularly notorious for being difficult to play smoothly.
[QUOTE=Hidole555;33861044]What graphics card will it come with and how much RAM?[/QUOTE]
I am not sure but didn't somebody get Quake 3 running on one of the development pieces?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_mDuJuvZjI[/media]
oh look
[QUOTE=Primus;33861034]i wonder what a cheap computer like this could be capable of.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#Specifications[/url]
Theres the specs
Looks like the Model B is the one to get. Networking doesn't seem to be the only difference.
Looks like it could run some basic games like The Sims. I want one.
I've been keeping tabs on the RPi development at the forums ([URL]http://www.raspberrypi.org/[/URL])
My goal is to use it as:
Media center
Torrent box (to download newer versions of Linux and upgrading itself, of course!)
Apache/SQL web server
FTP server (local network only)
It will have attached 1TB drive via powered USB hub, which will power the RPi and the HDD. (1 Ampere should do)
I hope to access it by remote desktop or SSH (not preferred).
Im definitely getting the B model due to RAM size (256mb)
One thing to keep in mind, is that its [B]ARM[/B]. So x86/64 bit programs are a no-go.
[QUOTE=gothiclampshade;33861646]It would be nice if this was easy to tinker with and customise, It might give a cheap window in order to help get younger people into computer building and help them understand how computers work.[/QUOTE]
The goal is to teach kids IT and programming.
I heard they played doom 3 on it at 30fps
It'd be great for lan parties
imagine 10 of them hooked up and playing unreal tournament
EDIT: how is this dumb?
It would be nice if this was easy to tinker with and customise, It might provide an affordable window to help get younger people into computer building and help them understand how computers work.
SD cart inside is going be more expensive then the thing itself
Really cool. Also cool because these days you're expected to have a computer, but some people don't want to spend much money on it.
MS Paint.
Its great to see this has finally gone into production, I was worried it was going to die off and no more would be heard about it.
I wonder if it could play 720p mkv files?
edit:
ok it can:
Broadcom [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VideoCore"]VideoCore[/URL] IV,[SUP][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#cite_note-hq-qa-22"][23][/URL][/SUP] OpenGL ES 2.0, 1080p30 H.264 high-profile decode
This is great for people who cant have computers due to the high cost of them.
I just realized since these are so cheap, a whole fuckton of schools are going to purchase these and give out to students.
[QUOTE=Derp Y. Mail;33862248]I just realized since these are so cheap, a whole fuckton of schools are going to purchase these and give out to students.[/QUOTE]
Yes, but you still need a HDMI monitor (a new LCD TV should have HDMI input), a keyboard and a mouse + an USB for Linux OR an SD card.
So the cost could be 50$+ without monitor.
I would get one of these, if not for anything else, then just to utilize it as a home server. 35$ is well worth it imo :v:
Combine 100 of these...
Supercomputer?
[QUOTE=Unsmart;33862444]Yes, but you still need a HDMI monitor (a new LCD TV should have HDMI input), a keyboard and a mouse + an USB for Linux OR an SD card.
So the cost could be 50$+ without monitor.[/QUOTE]
Oh. From what I gathered in the OP this was basically a netbook laptop.
[QUOTE=Bumrang;33862473]Combine 100 of these...
Supercomputer?[/QUOTE]
That adds up to either $2500 or $3500, why in the world wouldn't you just buy one computer that is MORE powerful?
Oh bugger me, yes! Crapped myself in excitement when I first heard about it. In a little under a year's time I'm doing my final year project (a robot of some description), definitely going to get this in, use it for the brain.
I think they can run happily off a 9V battery, so you could replace all the crap in offices and labs, watch the power bill plummet.
[QUOTE=StormHammer;33862515]That adds up to either $2500 or $3500, why in the world wouldn't you just buy one computer that is MORE powerful?[/QUOTE]
A possible quad core in one computer at this price, of 100 of these processors?
Well...
The computer costs less than Minecraft.
Seriously though, awesome.
[QUOTE=Derp Y. Mail;33862508]Oh. From what I gathered in the OP this was basically a netbook laptop.[/QUOTE]
It is impossible to create a 25$ PC/laptop (material cost only) at the moment. (not even in China at wholesale price)
That's why I stressed out using TV as a monitor, as presumably everyone in the UK has a TV. You could buy VGA->HDMI converter, but that would cost a lot.
This is amazing for education. It was about time this was to happen.
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