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Raspberry Pi Model A Makes First Appearance
An anonymous reader writes "It's easy to forget that the Raspberry Pi currently shipping is the more expensive model of the board. It is actually called the Model B as it sports more features than the $25 Model A. The main differences [compared to the B model] include a lack of an Ethernet port and the associated networking chip, as well as the presence of only one USB port instead of two. There was originally going to be less memory on the Model A (128MB instead of 256MB), but the Raspberry Pi Foundation managed to make enough cost savings during a redesign to increase the amount to 256MB on the cheaper version. With all the focus being on the Model B, we haven't actually seen the (near) final Model A board yet. But that changes today, as Eben Upton has just shown off the $25 board."
"The main differences include a lack of an Ethernet port and the associated networking chip, as well as the presence of only being one USB port instead of two."
There are editors somewhere aren't there? That understand English?
So - no CSI/DSI - for which there are no drivers anyway.
No ethernet port.
I do wonder what that white blob in place of the ethernet/USB hub chip is.
Is it simply a bit of tape, to cover some wires linking the USB directly to the SoC, or something else.
As to why this is an interesting bit of hardware - it's not.
It's interesting because it's a relatively open platform, at a reasonable price point.
Devices I want a model A for.
Wifi weather-station controller.
Heating controller.
Door camera system.
This "crippled piece of shit" can, among thousands of other things, run XBMC and output 1080p video, turning and dumb TV into a smartTV. Not too shabby for $25.
Can You Say Linux? I Knew That You Could.
How does that Broadcom SoC compare to the current Shenzen's SoC king the disruptive $7 Allwinner-A10 SoC?
Bonus: comes with open source GPU driver, unlike RasPi.
Cue the "it sucks", "why bother", "too expensive" whinges.
*looks up*
Oh, too late. Already started.
A Raspberry pie article! I haven't seen one in days, already had withdrawal symptoms.
That said, I'm still trying to order one. WTF? They were supposed to be readily available this week.
After a long time on the waiting list, element14 still gives me the "Real Soon Now!" message.
thegodmovie.com - watch it
Loving my Model B Pi, but can't help thinking that there's a niche wanting filled for systems that can actually function as a near normal desktop. Something with more grunt, more RAM etc. My phone is a quad core ARM CPU, why not a system a little larger than the Pi for the older audience who remember the Model B, Master & Archimedes the first time round. We have the cashflow and desire to use.
(just don't make an Electron version - even if it has Plus 1 and Plus 3 expansion modules like I had back in the day!)
D
While crass, the grandparent post is arguably a worthwhile question when you compare the Model A to the Model B.
$10 for ethernet and a second USB port is a smaller premium(and, of course, better integrated) than pretty much any peripheral option, and some sort of networking is an extremely convenient feature. The 'A' seems like a very niche sort of device.
This "crippled piece of shit" can, among thousands of other things, run XBMC and output 1080p video, turning and dumb TV into a smartTV. Not too shabby for $25.
Yeah but for $10 more, you can have one with Ethernet and an extra USB port. Really is $35 too much for a computer nowdays?
Hey, either that, uncritical 3D printer fanboyism or delusional Space Nuttery.
For the love of glorb I hope the Model A has bigger polyfuses on the USB ports than 140mA. No USB WiFi adapter works with under 200+mA of power so let's hope that has been considered.
$10 for ethernet and a second USB port is a smaller premium(and, of course, better integrated) than pretty much any peripheral option, and some sort of networking is an extremely convenient feature. The 'A' seems like a very niche sort of device.
I think most nerds will want the model-B, but note that if you stick a WiFi dongle in the single USB port of a model-A, you do still have a fully network accessible device... but likely it'll be easier to do development for that using a model-B. The main "wins" for the model-A are (1). it costs less, and (2). I believe power consumption is quite a bit lower.... I seem to recall seeing a video where Eben indicated that the networking/usb-hub chip uses quite a lot of power on the model-B.
No, it's not easy - because Slashdot reminds us of every trivial thing about the Raspberry Pi on a daily basis.
Earlier this week I received an email from one of the distribution partners to tell me they were accepting orders, fortunately I noticed during the checkout process that shipping costs "couldn't be determined" at that point and would be tacked on later, mucking around with their shipping calculator it appeared that their cheapest rate is $18 or over 50% of the cost of the Pi.
So is this the same situation we're seeing here?
(just don't make an Electron version - even if it has Plus 1 and Plus 3 expansion modules like I had back in the day!)
Yes... given that the Acorn Electron- intended as a cut-down "home" version of the BBC Micro- was a flop (*) that led to Acorn being taken over, that would probably be A Bad Thing. Also, as far as I know, the Electron was pretty underpowered and needed those add-on modules for any "serious" expansion.
(*) Sort of- apparently what happened was that there *was* quite high demand for it, but they had problems with the custom ULA chip and couldn't get enough out in time for Christmas. By the time they had the problem sorted out in the New Year, those potential customers had bought rival machines instead and Acorn were left with warehouses full of unsold Electrons.
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
Haha.The American language forked from 'English' in 1776. Any mutual intelligibility is purely coincidental! :)
If I had mod points, that comment's score would be going up.
The American language forked from 'English' in 1776.
Bloody oath it did - bonzer, Bruce!
Would love to see some realistic options if you've got em. Something for the average human that can throw a pre-built linux distro onto an SD card and be off and running. Seriously, not trolling, I've been pining over a raspberry pi forever and I'd love to see some other options.
C'mon people, has All Your Base Are Belong to Us slipped from the Slashdot lexicon?
I think the project is a good one. I cut my teeth on an on sale TS-1000 from a catalog store Montgomery Wards that had it on closeout for $35.00. Call me stupid, but the hours I spend mashing the membrane keyboard learning every last bit of the z-80 and what it could do still serves me well!
Yup, lets just not report the news just because some people don't like the subject! What a great idea!
I'm using the RPi to drive a prototype device that I'm building. Currently it's just driving two real-time stepper motors (or close to real time), and doing a great job of it. For our production device though, we don't need Ethernet, and only want/need one USB - so the $10 savings and lower power consumption is perfect.
As for why we'd use an off-the-shelf board? Why not - it does everything we need, runs an off-the-shelf operating system, and is easy to program/update/use.
Why re-invent the wheel when we have areas where we can get a lot more value out of our time. As you seem to support - it's a great board!
MadCow.
I used to have a sig, but I set it free and it never came back.
and you are also an idiot.
I'm using the RPi to drive a prototype device that I'm building. Currently it's just driving two real-time stepper motors (or close to real time), and doing a great job of it. For our production device though, we don't need Ethernet, and only want/need one USB - so the $10 savings and lower power consumption is perfect.
As for why we'd use an off-the-shelf board? Why not - it does everything we need, runs an off-the-shelf operating system, and is easy to program/update/use.
Why re-invent the wheel when we have areas where we can get a lot more value out of our time. As you seem to support - it's a great board!
MadCow.
Why isn't modded up?
A bit harsh... I've got a RPi, cost NZ$53 (US$40ish).including shipping. and 15% tax, so US$36.90 before tax.
Works a bit better than the other ARM boards I've got (the software support is really crap on some no-brander ARM boards).
I've managed to use the GPIO pins for simple stuff too (e.g. with a LVTTL serial to USB) without frying them.
This "crippled piece of shit" can, among thousands of other things, run XBMC and output 1080p video, turning and dumb TV into a smartTV. Not too shabby for $25.
Only if you use one codec. No Xvid/mpeg2 etc.
Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
Two reasons
1: two USB ports isn't really quite enough, I want enough ports to have a keyboard, a mouse and a USB flash drive plugged in at once.
2: i've had more trouble with the SMSC chip used on the Pi than with other USB ethernet chips
So i'd rather have a model A and pair it with http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/56475-hub-3x-usb-ethernet-blkgrey-psg90189.html. Total cost is about the same when you consider that the USB hub with ethernet comes with a PSU that can supply the Pi (they don't mention that in the description but i've bought several and it comes with a 5V 2.5A power supply).
note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
> Why isn't modded up?
He forgot to sign with the 42, must be a robotic impostor cow pod, gone mad.
if 50 bucks is expensive maybe you should be saving up to pay for rent rather than buying toy computers.
This is a joke. I am joking. Joke joke joke.
Rubbish. Mine was one of the original orders and it has been fulfilled already. A friend also ordered well after the launch day and has received hers too.
Next...
My God, it's almost as if Slashdot are posting articles that a large proportion of it's readership might actually be interested in. The bastards!
You could but then you may need a USB hub as well.
If you are going to use it as a small PC you will want wifi and a keyboard which works out to two USBs
If you want to use it with XBMC you may need a second USB to add blue tooth, or an IR receiver.
or you could always use a smartphone running this http://code.google.com/p/android-xbmcremote/ for a remote.
Of course that is for the minimal hackers out there.
Now if one wants to really get into the spirit of things you can add and SPI Wifi module like this http://www.cutedigi.com/wireless/wifi/wifi-module-with-spi-interface-to-8-bit-mcu-zg2100mc-wishield.html
And then an IR module to the UART on the GPIO http://www.lirc.org/receivers.html for a complete XBMC solution.
That would leave the USB port free for a card reader, USB memory stick, or Bluetooth adaptor.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
Yep and if you are getting into the sprit of things you can add your own Wifi using the SPI interface and then make an PS/2 interface with the GPIO for your old PS/2 mouse and keyboard.
Over all that extra $10 for the Ethernet and USB hubs isn't bad but it nice to have the even cheaper option available for those that want it.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
Do you own one?
What is the next spec of Raspberry Pi? Cortex-A15, HDMI 1.3/1.4, GL 4.x/ES 2.x 3D Graphics, on chip Linux/IC, expandable RAM IC 16/32 Gigabyte, replaceable/upgradable ICs, miniXT form factor etc?
This "crippled piece of shit" can, among thousands of other things, run XBMC and output 1080p video, turning and dumb TV into a smartTV. Not too shabby for $25.
Only if you use one codec. No Xvid/mpeg2 etc.
I haven't tested with any 1080p DivX files, but the Pi plays SD DivX/XviD content without a sweat. I think this should comfortably play the majority of videos you throw at it.
This is a real product. It has shipped and is continuing to ship. You're not only wrong about your 'space nuttery' obsession, you're wrong about this. Your track record is looking pretty dismal.