$35 Computer: Raspberry Pi

Posted on: March 5th, 2012

Last week there was a launch of an interesting product that I believe will have very positive effects on the world of innovations. It is a very small computer on a circuit board the size of a credit card. It is called Raspberry Pi and was designed by a non-profit group in the UK.
You can see this tiny computer on the right (click on the image to see it in full size).

There was such an overwhelming interest in this product that their website almost crashed and the first batch of 10,000 was sold within hours! Right now there’s still a waiting list for it.

The computer uses common connections, can be powered from a cell phone charger and hooked up to any TV with HDMI input & it works with any USB keyboard and mouse.

The very low price and ease of use of these tiny computers (compared to other ones) will make it possible for many inventors to develop their ideas without massive investments.

Some ideas that these tiny computers can be used for:
- Making TVs internet ready. Actually giving more options and flexibility to a TV than the expensive Internet capable TVs.
- Network accessible backup devices.
- Intelligent controllers for machinery
- The “brains” for robots

Although this is not directly related to home computing now, it is for sure will effect it in the near future.

Links to Raspberry Pi:
- main project website: http://www.raspberrypi.org/
- Ordering for the US: http://elinux.org/RPi_Buying_Guide#USA

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