$25/$35 Mini-PC Available Next Month - ARM based

[beergeek]

So what exactly would something like this 'seriously' be able to be used for?

streaming videos as a network HT"PC".
Browsing internet it will suck.

No idea why you say this - we were browsing (pretty happily ) 20 years ago on systems with (much) less than 1% of current desktop CPU performance (so about 2% or 3% the performance of the Pi?), maybe .1% the RAM of current desktops (so well under 1% that of the Pi), etc., etc., etc. Yes, the media on the web is more intensive now, but I'm sure it will do fine for browsing.

Using Ubuntu (such as developing software) it will suck.

I can't picture anyone trying to develop software on a Pi rather than cross building, but (again), we developed a hell of a lot of software on much less powerful machines (like 10 simultaneous (timeshared) developers on a VAX 750, which was about a .5 MIP machine with 16MB of RAM).

The real motive is to make the poor children in 3rd world countries buy another, upgraded, one.

This isn't supposed to be a powerful, do everything system. Its intent is to provide a target platform for learning programming and a target for learning about hardware interfacing. As a side benefit, those same attributes (plus the fact that it has a pretty good GPU in the core) make it a good unit for a HTPC, a home automation controller, and similar things where moderate performance and resources (bolstered by a GPU and a fair amount of I/O connectivity) in an inexpensive package can solve useful problems. If you aren't able to do those sorts of things with this unit, you aren't trying very hard...

I will be checking this out in a few years when it's on a dual core processor and has 2-4GB of RAM.

Yes, I'm sure such will exist, and that unit will be able to do more. But this unit as it stands will do a whole lot...

 

[beergeek]

You can also use a regular Ipod touch for a remote if you have one.

Again, while that (likely) works as a remote for the HTPC, it doesn't directly help with the device control (for the TV, DVD, receiver, STB, etc.), at least not without additional hardware (IR transmitter, maybe other) and software. It also doesn't help with people (like my wife) who want a simple, hard-buttoned controller to just change the TV channel and control the volume and won't deal with anything complex or (probably) touch screen...

 

[alaricljs]

... It also doesn't help with people (like my wife) who want a simple, hard-buttoned controller ...

Funny, it took my wife only 3 weeks to switch from that attitude to looking forward to the next upgrade I'd make on the HTPC. She was happy switching from a wired to wireless trackball, thrilled to switch to a touchscreen.

You can take the HTPC away from her if you can make it through 2 karate students, 1 attack cat and a near infinite supply of knitting needles (yes they are deadly).

 

[skyking]

Install lirc and use the windows media center remote receiver to get functionality, then use a universal remote. It works fine. I have a logitech harmony that does it all.
http://www.lirc.org/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HP-Micr...932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3366ccc904

done.

 

[Medikit]

Seems like you could make a pretty impressive linux or android enabled car media player which syncs with the iphone via bluetooth/airplay.

 

[wirednuts]

Seems like you could make a pretty impressive linux or android enabled car media player which syncs with the iphone via bluetooth/airplay.

yeah and it would fit in the glove box...... and it wouldnt kill your battery if u left it on!

 

[etrin]

does anyone know where we in the usa will be able to order and get one on the 20th release date?
Everything I read says that they will receive them in the UK on that date.

 

[mnewsham]

does anyone know where we in the usa will be able to order and get one on the 20th release date?
Everything I read says that they will receive them in the UK on that date.

everyone is ordering FROM rasberrypi there are no distributors AT ALL.

 

[Mandres]

forgive my noobish lack of knowledge about ARM-based systems, but what is there in terms of operating systems for this device? Is the assumption that Ubuntu or some other Linux distro will be the default, or is there even room for an OS? Will we be swapping in a micro-SD card for each application we run like the old Nintendo cartridges?

Because I hear a whole lot of chatter in this thread about Windows-based apps, am I missing something?

 

[mnewsham]

forgive my noobish lack of knowledge about ARM-based systems, but what is there in terms of operating systems for this device? Is the assumption that Ubuntu or some other Linux distro will be the default, or is there even room for an OS? Will we be swapping in a micro-SD card for each application we run like the old Nintendo cartridges?

Because I hear a whole lot of chatter in this thread about Windows-based apps, am I missing something?

As far as I know OS will be SD card. you can pop it out and pop in another when you need it. Ubuntu is not supported as far as I know, but there are linux distros that will work.

 

[alaricljs]

As far as Windows stuff, Windows 8 is supposed to have ARM support. Otherwise, no.

 

[HeianJodan]

everyone is ordering FROM rasberrypi there are no distributors AT ALL.

As in people have been able to order this already? I have not seen it available for purchase on their store yet only the sticker media.

 

[etrin]

a friend said you had to create an account before you could see the unit and the sd card with software on it. UNSURE about this statement.

I was planning on using something like mysql and php on it but not sure if the arm version of linux supports it. I do see a version of the xbox movie software running and I think that uses mysql.

 

[mnewsham]

Does anyone read the website?

They are still being manufactured and have not been produced yet. They will be finished on FEB. 20th and are being air shipped to the UK the moment they are done. Only after then will they be put up for sale. So the earliest you are looking at is FEB. 21st. But probably closer to the end of the month.

 

[HeianJodan]

... I was planning on using something like mysql and php on it but not sure if the arm version of linux supports it

I was planning something similar to put a development broker on it where I would store all my assets on the network and just use it for processing the web content.

 

[beergeek]

As far as Windows stuff, Windows 8 is supposed to have ARM support. Otherwise, no.

Windows 8 (as currently spec'ed) will require an ARMv7 (or later) core, while the chip in the Pi has an ARMv6. Windows almost certainly will also require much more RAM than is on even the bigger Pi. So no Windows on this generation of Pi - not really a major issue (IMHO) given their intended target uses...

 

[etrin]

yes I can not see a need for a winders version of this device.
Damn os cost 20 times more than the computer.

but since they are going to allow anyone to use their design it won't be long before we have the asus C.A.K.E pi. LOL
something that will cost $300 and the fan boys will be telling us how great their C.A.K.E. is.
(don't ask) I just made that up

 

[ElFenix]

yes I can not see a need for a winders version of this device.
Damn os cost 20 times more than the computer.

but since they are going to allow anyone to use their design it won't be long before we have the asus C.A.K.E pi. LOL
something that will cost $300 and the fan boys will be telling us how great their C.A.K.E. is.
(don't ask) I just made that up

the only real difference between this and any run of the mill android device is that it's designed to be hacked on. asus wouldn't need to use raspberry pi's design; asus already has its own designs. if this thing takes off asus just takes a tablet's guts and stick them in a little box.

edit: asus would only make this if they included some value add, basically compete with roku and other little boxes. what's much more likely is some chinese factory has some volume left over and these pop up on deal extreme.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Can I haz it now?

 

[Mitch101]

Release date given on site

 

[wirednuts]

Release date given on site

i didnt see it specifically, but the website says 1 to 2 weeks away. i need to remind myself to start checking in regularly because i tell you what, i want one!

 

[Mitch101]

i didnt see it specifically, but the website says 1 to 2 weeks away. i need to remind myself to start checking in regularly because i tell you what, i want one!

7 Days

 

[exar333]

$25 Model A with 128 MB of RAM and the $35 Model B which sports 256 MB of RAM and an additional 10/100 Ethernet port -- Wi-Fi can be added using a standard USB dongle

If your not familiar with the Rasberry Pi its worth taking a look.
http://www.raspberrypi.org/

END OF FEBRUARY RELEASE

Moderator - Not sure if this goes into Hot Deals or under hardware and technology but based on price I felt here was more appropriate. Set what you think is best.

To Answer a few questions its actually a pretty capable PC that can run on batteries. I recommend Watching the video about 1/3 of the way down the page on the link above.

What’s a Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. It’s a capable little PC which can be used for many of the things your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word-processing and games. It also plays high-definition video. We want to see it being used by kids all over the world to learn programming.

HDMI Output, Movies, Music, Games, Emulators, Etc. I would suspect XBMC would run on it.

Pretty decent if this was 2002 and not 2012. :thumbsdown:

 

[jlee]

Pretty decent if this was 2002 and not 2012. :thumbsdown:

If this was 2002, you could add another couple of zeros to the price tag.

 

[cytoSiN]

If this was 2002, you could add another couple of zeros to the price tag.

Seriously. I don't understand how people CAN'T be excited about this, considering the price.