Raspberry Pi is an ARM micro computer the size of a credit card that runs Linux. Its creator, Eben Upton of Cambridge University, designed it to be cheap enough to purchase for kids to learn about computers and programming, it can also be used for spreadsheets, word-processing and games and has the capability to play high-definition videos. The small computer retails at only $35 for Model B, which comes with an ethernet connection and $25 for Model A. Its a modular style of marketing a computer whereby the LCD screen, keyboard, mouse and SD card can all be bought as a kit for no more than $100. The computer is also powered from a mobile charger, or can run on 4xAA cells.
The long-running project aims to cut costs by reducing a computer to its most basic components while still having all the functionality you’d expect from modern hardware. The idea is to make it so cheap that children around the world can buy one or have it as a gift and learn processing skills.
To keep the computer within budget, it’s reduced to a single chip board around the size of a credit card with no external casing. There’s an HDMI socket and analog video and audio sockets for connecting to a TV. There’s also a USB slot for connecting a keyboard (or inserting a USB hub for multiple input devices or a USB drive), and an SD card slot for storage. There are two models, one of which includes an ethernet cable for internet access (though the other should support wireless dongles.)
The machine only supports 256MB of memory, so it will support Debian, Fedora, and ArchLinux, though the manufacturers expect some people will at least attempt running older versions of Android. Windows emulators look to be a step too far at this stage.
The initial manufacture run is 10,000, though it’s not yet decided whether sales will start before the entire run is complete. There will be a maximum of one order per customer to minimize the risk of eBay scalping.
Read more at the BBC
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