The new 25 dollar computer

2012-03-01T09:23:00.001-08:00

Raspberry Pi launched a new computer for just 25 dollars developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. This foundation plans to release two versions, priced at US$25 and $35. The Foundation started accepting orders for the $35 model since yesterday, February 29th 2012. The Raspberry Pi is intended to stimulate the teaching of basic computer science in schools. The design is based around a Broadcom BCM2835 system on a chip (SoC), which includes an ARM1176JZF-S 700 MHz processor, VideoCore IV GPU, and 256 Megabytes of RAM. The design does not include a built-in hard disk or solid-state drive, instead relying on an SD card for booting and long-term storage.

This board is intended to run Linux kernel based operating systems. It supports the Python programming language, BBC BASIC, C and Perl.

Initial sales are of the Model B, with plans to release the Model A sometime later. Model A has one USB port and no Ethernet controller, and will cost $25 , while Model B has two USB ports and a 10/100 Ethernet controller and costs $35.

Though the Model A doesn't have an RJ45 Ethernet port, it can connect to a network by using a user-supplied USB Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter. As is typical of modern computers, generic USB keyboards and mice are compatible with the Raspberry Pi.

The Raspberry Pi will use Linux kernel-based operating systems. Debian GNU/Linux, Iceweasel, Calligra Suite and Python are planned to be bundled with the Raspberry Pi.

The Raspberry Pi does not come with a real-time clock, so an OS must use a network time server, or ask the user for time information at boot time to get access to time and date info for file time and date stamping. However, a real-time clock (such as the DS1307) with battery backup can be easily added via the I2C interface.

Videos:

Executing Quake3 on a Raspberry Pi

Debian GNU/Linux on a Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi video capabilities

XBMC Demo on Raspberry Pi

Link: Raspberry Pi

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The new 25 dollar computer