Raspberry Pi Mini-PC Available Next Month
The $25 mini-PC Raspberry Pi will be available for purchase next month.
The developers behind the upcoming super-cheap Raspberry Pi computer report that it will be available for public consumption next month. Last week the team uploaded images of populated boards from the first run of beta devices which are currently undergoing electrical testing alongside hardware and software testing. Ten of these beta boards may actually be auctioned off sometime this week.
"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," the team reports.
For the uninitiated, Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that can plug directly into a TV via an RCA jack or an HDMI port. Users can also connect a keyboard via its one USB 2.0 port, or connect a wireless mouse/keyboard like Verbatim's Mini Wirless Slim set. Two versions will be offered at launch: the $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.
As for additional specs, the Raspberry Pi will measure 85.60 x 53.98 x 17-mm, with a little overlap for the SD card and connectors which project over the edges. It also weighs around 45g and provides a standard 3.5-mm audio jack, a micro-USB slot for power (it can run on 4xAA batteries too), and an ARM-based Broadcom BCM2835 SoC clocked at 700 MHz. There's no VGA support, but adapters are available. There also isn't a protective cover -- customers will be purchasing a "naked" product with its components exposed.
"Debian, Fedora and ArchLinux will be supported from the start," reads the FAQ. "We hope to see support from other distros later. We will be selling SD cards with the distros preloaded."
The team adds that users can "un-brick" the device by re-flashing the SD card. To learn more about Raspberry Pi, head here. So far there's no indication of when the auction will take place, so keep checking back with the team's development blog.

Google "raspberry pi quake" to see it in action. Runs better than you'd expect. And come on... You can't expect a $25 PC to work right out of the box without some Linux juju.
Note to self: buy one of these and make a custom browser in .Net MF.
Google "raspberry pi quake" to see it in action. Runs better than you'd expect. And come on... You can't expect a $25 PC to work right out of the box without some Linux juju.
=O
I have a few cool project ideas to throw this into.
Anyone up for a Pizza Box Laptop?
CONSUMPTION? No, not eating that.
$25/35 is just awesome. I will SO get this!!! Fun toy.
Been working on my very own KIT car..This will help me save more space in my car to make things more atractive ;-)
Can't wait to test it out..
No. I can find better things to house this in. Good luck with that though.
I chuckled. But ermm...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumption
I was thinking the same thing. Carputer. In the past I was thinking about using an old laptop, but this would be perfect. If only it had a bit more memory and I could install W7 and use media center on it. But Linux will do I guess. That and a small USB Hub for accessories.
Being a Cellphone CPU, all I will need to do is get a 2P2S 18650 LiFePo4 battery holder (x2) and Bob's your uncle. Attach a small portable 1024x768 screen that is also powered by the USB and a USB hub and forget about slabs/netbooks. This will run for a long time. Especially when in remote locations. Just add a foldable Solar Charger.
For those that don't know... If your mobile runs for hours on a 1.5 Ah battery how long will it last with 4 AH.
Yes, it is low specced since it was initially conceived for 3rd world countries, but nothing is stopping us using it too. Add an external 1.8in 320Gb HDD or a SSD so low power consumption and I can see this lasting... well it becomes a great small Linux box.
p.s. The reason for the x2 battery holders is so one can be charging while the other is in use. You can also use Li-Ion of which have more power, but they generally are for up to 500 recharges, while LiFePO4 last at least for 2000 charges. I let you figure out which will last for years in he remote villages of Africa. Or x3 so you can have a self powered USB port and the other to be supplying power to the system and the 3rd for being charged by the solar panels as a back up. 4000+ mAh Li-Ion 18650 exist on eBay, get a solar charger 3x 2S2P (two series and two parallel connected), might need a regulator to 5v or 6 depending on spec's for power input. If you use those batteries well at 8AmpH you can be seeing about a day plus of casual usage.
That is my 4¢ worth. 2¢ has depreciated due to inflations ;-)
Wow, MAME.... brings back a lot of memories from many years ago when I first came accross it :-)
Yep, should be great.
Or what about a kitbash laptop made of wood. Have a low profile of touch keyboard and a trackpad or trackball.
Make a load balancing circuit for batteries, put them on both ends so the weight is balanced, put a screen in another panel to make that the top add some hinges... and away you go. You will be able to play low res, or if you want you can search for some other similar products to this that have more grunt... and watch Full HD movies with your Home made laptop or overgrown netbook.
Hehe, yep, posibilities are endless.
No go back to work in your shop, quick. :-)
Well having built a Solar Panel - many kits available at
Here is the rest of it:
Well having built a Solar Panel - many kits available at eBay.
Just some random links:
Shintaro Wireless HTPC Keyboard /w Trackball Multimedia Item Number: 380238454294
Teach Yourself- Solar Cells Diy Panel Kit w/Instruction Item number: 120659894658
75 WHOLE Solar Cells Full Tabbed PLUS Bus Wire and Flux Item Number: 180784941550
20 Mono Solar Cell Kit 5" Tested >2.5Wea NOT CHIPPED Item Number: 200602981312
Solar Panel Frames for diy using 36 3"x6" tabbed cells Item Number: 180476303115
1 x 2S2P 7.4V 18650 Holder Case Battery w/ Li-ion PCM Protection Circuit Module Item Number: 180775257700
Monitor Options:
If you want two monitors ;-)
USB to DVI HDMI SVGA MultiDisplay Video Monitor Adapter Item Number: 280689600878
USB Multi Display Adapter DVI/VGA - Extra monitor without installing video card item number: 130621416179
USB 2.0 to VGA Adapter Cable Connection for Extra Monitor Multi LCD Screen Item Number: 290630142828
USB 2.0 UGA Multi Display Adapter External Video Card Add Monitors CRT LCD AC12 Item Number: 170744601113 / 170751916354 Win/Mac
now there are a couple more of them ;-) Search and you shall find. Just that at the moment I have not found any Linux hmm...
Now for a USB powered screen Monitor:
Portable PC 7 Inch Mini USB LCD Screen Display Monitor Item Number: 250957354699 Screen Resolution: 800×480
LILLIPUT 8" TFT LCD USB Powered Touch Screen Video Monitor Device UM-80/C/T Item Number: 150713413630 Screen Resolution: 800×600
1080P Lilliput 7" USB HDMI Touch Screen Car PC Monitor LED Backlight +Cigarette Item Number: 280782669886 Screen Resolution: 800x480 with input support for 1080p
10.1 Inch Multi Touch Monitor FA1012-NP/C/T HDMI DVI AV Item Number: 250944188768 Screen Resolution: 1024×600.
I have included the item description, so if the auctions end, someone can always do a word search to find them ;-)
I hope this inspires someone to "go out there and do something" :-D