The Raspberry Pi a super low cost computer that has finally launched today. The first few batches of the little, magical, machines sold out in just minutes. Luckily more are on their way and retail partners are already taking preorders for those next few batches.
The Raspberry Pi is essentially a low power, low cost, single board computer. The machines have outputs for a TV as well as USB ports for keyboard and mouse. The computers come in two varieties, Model A and Model B. The Model B units are being sold first and include a 700Mhz Broadcom BCM2835 (the system's CPU, GPU, and SDRAM) composite and HDMI outputs for video, an SD slot for storage, 2 USB ports, and a single Ethernet port. Those Model B units were selling for $35. Yes, you read that price correctly.
The Model A units are set to be manufactured later, largely because the community placed more demand on the Model B. The Model A will be exactly like the Model B except it will have no Ethernet port and it will only have one USB port. That version will sell for only $25. Originally the Model A was only going to ship with 128MB of RAM but alongside the launch of the Model B, today it was announced that the Model A would have exactly the same amount of RAM as the Model B, 256MB.
These little computers are currently being sold through two retail partners, RS Components and Element 14 both of which are European companies. Both companies sold out of their available stock just minutes after they made units available and both are expected to get more stock quickly. If you missed out on the first batch, both retail partners will let you register your interest in the product to get on the buying list as more become available.
Do any of you have an interest in trying out one of these tiny, cheap computers? I'm tempted to pick one up as stock becomes more available to play around with it as a home theater machine or just to have something to play with Linux on. Let us know if you might pick one up in the comments.
