I know, right??

It would def. require some hacking on the user's part - it boots from an SD card (no hard drive).

The guys who designed it grew up learning to program in basic on the old eight bit computers. They realised that modern kids where using PCs with Windows and never had a chance to use command prompts or write a line of code. The Raspberry Pie is their solution a small powerful computer cheep enough for kids that runs Linux and has a programming language as standard.

It's ARM based, so it couldn't possibly run XP or any other piece of x86 software. It could potentially run Win8 ARM, i suppose, but I'm pretty sure they couldn't do it unsanctioned by microsoft.

This runs Linux.

I'm going to pick one or two up as mediaPCs. They support full 1080p h.264 decoding and have HDMI output, plus ethernet on the model B. They use under 5W of power, which is so absurdly efficient that you can run it off batteries.

As far as use, it is incredibly useful for education. A programming class can require purchase of a Raspberry Pi for the semester, and ensure that every student has an identical development environment that they can take home with them.

A wedding photographer showing a slideshow of his work doesn't have to worry about leaving his expensive laptop sitting out and running all night while he runs around.

A parent that is worried about their kid messing up a computer can give them a raspberry pi instead. If they start up a romantic relationship with an 80 year old man online, you can literally just pocket their computer and ensure they can't use it when you aren't paying attention.

Well said sir!

The problem with these analogies is that you still need a monitor, mouse and keyboard... I mean great yeah a student can take home a mini PC, but he still needs to have a TV/Monitor with a HDMI output + keyboard and mouse sitting at home. Like wise for the photographer etc...

I'm with Dom tbh it's great that children from poorer backgrounds can get these things so cheap and play around with them. But I'm probably never going to find any use for it myself.

It has RCA video out. You can basically use anything as a monitor, including old televisions or small LCD screens. With very little effort you have a fully programmable handheld.

It's obviously not for everyone, but then neither is a smartphone. Or tablet.

just ordered one. pretty sick, theres now an XBMC version available thats ported for the raspberry pi. plays full HD like a charm.

$25 credit card size mediacenter

I got the two I ordered back in February. They are pretty badass. Xbmc port still needs some work but it's early release. It will be awesome in 3-6mo as others get their rpi

I'd be interested to hear your comments (or someone else in the know) regarding what he said about graphics cards. How can he sell this so cheap and still run Quake with a pretty good picture. Everytime I looked to upgrade my graphics card the prices are so high.

Neat idea though espcially for kids.

New kickstarter connects the Pi to Legos. Think Mindstorms with a turbobrain - a ready to configure robot.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...n?ref=category