Build a really cheap computer

[Detonate]

$25 or $35 with ethernet. It runs on Linux.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

[dequire]

The most amazing thing to me about Pi is that it can run HD video. Seriously!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgR74Kp6Ws4

I want one.

[Detonate]

I'm definitely going to get one. I will use a cigar box for a case. ;D

[HalationEffect]

That tiny little thing is quite amazing... I want one too!

[oshunluvr]

A cigar box would be HUGE for this thing... better to use a cigarette tin! :D

I'm thinking you could just stick it to the back of a monitor or TV with a USB port and you're good to go. Think about the MythTV applications! The hard part is finding a really good wireless keyboard that reaches over 15 feet reliably. I wonder if the nice Boxee Box remote would be usable?

No Ubuntu at this point, but you could customize a nice Arch install.

[Detonate]

I said cigar box because that is what I have on hand. I'm thinking I could poke some holes in it and mount a fan. 8)

[GreyGeek]

I wonder ... would the power consumption be cut in half if they disabled the two leds? ;D

[GreyGeek]

I said cigar box because that is what I have on hand. I'm thinking I could poke some holes in it and mount a fan. 8)


From what I've seen and read I doubt that you would need a fan.

[oshunluvr]

I was wondering about the heat too. It's possible the unit may run air-cooled if you add some heat sinks. I'm already on the mailing list so I can get a couple when they go on sale. I wonder what the shipping will be from the UK?

[Detonate]

I think they are located in the UK.

[oshunluvr]

Sorry, I should have said "to the US" :P

[SteveRiley]

I do believe you guys have found the thing that will excite my son about learning Linux. I've enrolled for notice when it's available. He'll love tinkering with the hardware; when I tell him he has to learn Debian to get the thing to do anything useful, he'll say "cool!"

Thanks for the linky.

[woodsmoke]

This is trew kewl, I'll buy one
woodsmoke

[vinnywright]

yup I put my self on the mailing list as well.

for $35 I can be geeky :D

VINNY

[woodsmoke]

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woodsmoke

[oshunluvr]

Happy New Year!

We've built our first small batch of production boards. Apart from a minor error in the PCB design, they work very nicely, so we've decided to make ten of them available for auction on eBay. We have parts in stock for our first 10,000 units, and expect to be in volume production by the end of January.

As always, for more details, check out our website at:

http://www.raspberrypi.org

Eben Upton
Executive Director, Raspberry Pi Foundation

[Snowhog]

Will be interesting to see what the "production" price settles out to be. The prototype board on UK ebay (prototype board 10) is already over 1,000 pounds (British)!. Board 9 is at over 800 pounds (British), and there are still 5+ days to go! :o :o

[MoonRise]

Interesting. I'll keep watch.

[SecretCode]

I think (and hope) those ebay prices are charitable (the money all goes to them but they see themselves as a charitable foundation). They state clearly in their FAQ that the Model A will cost $25 and the Model B $35, and that their aim the lowest possible price.

[GreyGeek]

Interesting. I'll keep watch.


At THOSE prices that's ALL I will do! :o

[vinnywright]

at $35 for the B-unit (256Mib-RAM) I will by one ...........thats better specks than my first laptop IE:700Mhz-CPU 128-RAM in the laptop ver. 700Mhz-CPU 256-RAM for the Raspberry Pi ...........I think I'll take some kind of wood parquetry antique looking little box and make a case for it to be a small portable computer for the WoW factor of it ........LOL

VINNY

[Snowhog]

My guess is that I too, will purchase one, if nothing else, for the pure novelty of it. I would of course, put it to use. The case possibilities are endless (and could be a whole lot of fun).

[MoonRise]

I was thinking a small Linux Server for DHCP/DNS/NTP. Just for fun. Maybe a Web Browser tool for the TV?

[SteveRiley]

For a typical home network, I'd imagine that little thing would also make for an ideal firewall/router, too.

[MoonRise]

Oooo. That's a good idea there. Hmmmmm.

[GreyGeek]

IF they can keep the price at $35 or less I definately will get a couple.

IF they run really cool and don't need a fan under load then I may be on my way to a computerized house!