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Why the Raspberry Pi is relevant

1st the raspberry pi (RBPI)is not a fedora based arm pc. it will run any am linux variant that can run with these spec. the fedora version for the RBPI isn't even out yet. yes there is a debian version but there is also now an arch version as of yesterday (march 4th).

2 Raspberry pi is not a company its a nonprofit foundation.

3 intels core i7 doesn't have 7 core at most there are 6 core variants as well as 4 and i think 2 core versions.

First, as part Network Attached Storage. My second idea is a Beowulf cluster, essentially throw computers at a problem. I promise that I'd only use that kind of computing power for good!

Having started my career in electronics and knowing how a cpu worked long before I had a computer or touched software, I find this very interesting. I think it would be cool to play around with this, once they get productions numbers up so I can get one.

I can do all kinds of cool/stupid things with them.

As soon as they stop selling out in 2hours maybe I'll have one.

My first box was a Sinclair zx81. 'Playboy' evaluated it as, 'Now you can be intelligent for less that $100'. (This was significantly pre-IBM-PC) This should challenge and encourage many young folks without a few hundred available for a cheap tablet or otherwise. Great !

well, if the little computer doesn't encourage them, they still have the playboy.

Couldn't resisit. seriously though, the Pi is very interesting. I'm glad to see them manage to bring it to production. Luckily, they dodged much of the dramatic hype that OLPC got beaten down with so good on them for that too. Now, what I can I use a few little linux machines for.. let's see how long it takes for a Backtrack Pi edition to turn up.

I should have one in a few days. The first test for it will be to be a thin client for a virtual PC. We are a school, My plan is for a complete TC for under $150, CPU, Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse.

Consider that in my daughter's classroom in a public school (that's tax money, guys) there is a $700 CPU that gets used an embarrassingly small amount of time. Now toss in the other stuff. Now pay the tech to keep it all running. Now insure it.

I can see big uses for Raspberry. I will be writing about it, look for the link.

Those devices may have some future use, but, as of now, they're pretty basic.

If a type of computer were to lead to "world peace", why wasn't it what we've had already for decades, which are a lot more powerful, like the laptops and desktops and mainframes and supercomputers.

However, it's not the hardware/software computer that will lead to world peace. The only "computer" that will lead to world peace, is the one we're all born with inside our heads.

put in a keyboard with a 4 port USB hub(1 for keyboard), power it from a 5V 2A wallwart , include a HDMI to DVI cable and it is all I need for 95% of my days work.

I think this could be great.Don't really no how good the video output will be but I think it should do games real well. I ran Linux on pc that couldn't run at the spec. that this thing can. Just can't wait to try one

Reminds me of the Sinclaire Z80/81 as well, I can see great things coming from this little giant. Waiting for our first one, will be ordering a half dozen or so to see if we can run SCADA on a few small pump systems.

Cheers all

I could see enterprise level operations using these as thin clients to access virtual desktops.

Core i7 is just a name; it has nothing to do with how many cores the CPU has.

I can think about a few dozen things that can be done with it.

The one I am thinking right off the bat? A true modular laptop. The tech is out there, all you need is to build a frame around it.

And for Robotics? That thing will kick ass. Imagine that thing inside an old HERO-1 Shell.

The primary aim of the company is education - these computers are very cheap & very small - ideal for kids learning how a computer works. If you can capture kids' imaginations like mine was when I had my Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ back in the 80s then you'll get a new generation of developers & IT experts who actually understand about how and why a computer works, rather than just how to use it. The price is amazing: I think a 48K Spectrum was over ??100 back in about 1984 so to get this thing for ??22 now is incredible and basically removes any bar to the computing experience, even for the poorest kids. It really is a great idea.

I remember a single board system called tiny blue or something that was a 5-1/4" form factor, to screw directly to your choice of a floppy or hard drive. It probably ran MSDOS, but I don't see any amazing difference about this new PC, other than marketing.

A google search of single board computer certainly finds plenty.

We all should not miss the point here. Not only are these guys offering an affordable entry for kids into the world of computors; that's programming, building and networking: they are also providing the experience of bringing the kids up from just being users to possible manufacturers. I can visual some interested, brilliant young, Bardwell producing little pcs for the neighborhood, like lemon aid concessions of old.

Though I'd dump the OS if I could. I'm sure the Linux community will make some installs for some of the other distros.

He who dies with the most toys wins...

I just build a "nettop" with an Intel 2700 (Intel d2700dc board) in a Morex case that has NO moving parts (except for the power switch). For about $240. It does EVERYTHING the average email-and-light-web-surfing home computer user needs. and more. At about ten watts. Leave it on 24x7, who cares? The Raspberry Pi may even fit into this niche at an even more affordable point. I think it is a major step forward for universal "personal" computing (That's what "PC" stands for, remember.) We'll see where this goes, but the potential is ENORMOUS. Love it.

If Linux did not exist, there are untold numbers of operating systems that _could_ be used. Linux should be just fine here. However, I'll wait and get one in a proper case.

Concerns about power supply. Specs mention Powered from microUSB port which leads me to believe it must be connected to another computer to get power. There is no clear explanation as to how this is powered. If this it a portable computer it should have a battery and if it has a battery how long is the life of that battery. The price is too good to be true for it to be an independent computer that can stand on it's own.

$25-35 does not include HDMI cable. Mobile devices may have made the Pi inexpensive but to use HDMI instead of composite video (OK I agree we have to move from Apple II graphics) means dipping into HDTV territory where a digital HDMI cable will set you back just as much "becaue my HDMI cable is better than the competitors.'" Hello, HDMI cables carry digital signals. They work or don't work. No cable can be made better than others which work. What is needed is an inexpensive display. Mobile low prices can help. What we need is for every disused smart phone to have an ap to turn it into a portable display whilst powering the Pi through the microUSB port.