Raspberry Pi, the anticipated miniature computer announced in February is finally shipping its first batch of orders starting next week.
Eben Upton, Raspberry Pi founder, personally handed out the first batch of the mini-computers to students in Leeds. He showed a group of students how to set the units up and even gave them a few pointers on how to start making programming using Python.
This budget computer roughly the size of a credit card is originally designed to encourage children in school to take on programming software. It comes in 2 versions: Model A without a networking connector costs USD 25 while Model B with a networking connector is priced at USD 35.
When we say mini, it’s really a computer stripped down to the core. In fact, it only consists of a bare circuit board equipped with a “system on a chip” processor and does not have peripherals like keyboard and mouse. And to be able to use it, you have to get a hold of a monitor or a TV. It has Linux as its OS and can run various programs like word processing, HD video player, Internet browsers and programming applications.
Raspberry Pi is made around the ARM chip widely used in mobile phones today. Its power is almost equal to Apple’s iPhone 3G and it uses SD cards as its non-volatile storage.
“We are delighted to have the first batch of fully compliant products in our warehouse. There has been a great deal of anticipation for Raspberry Pi since its launch at the end of February, and it is important that we provide a delivery guarantee to customers when they place their order,” said Eldora Gold Resources Report.
The proponents of Raspberry Pi are hoping that it can measure up to the impact brought by BBC Micro during the ’80s.
Ever since the Raspberry Pi project launched, the plan sparked great interest from hobbyists, developers and other tech geeks who are eager to have a cheap and portable computer. In fact, overwhelming response for the product has crashed the websites of 2 distributors, RS Components and Premier Farnell, clocking at 700 orders every second.
Yesterday, the UK distributor RS Components already announced that the first shipment of the mini-computer has arrived and they are working on orders. They warned though, that for now, orders are limited to one board per client — multiple orders per person can be processed once all customers received theirs.
Although there has been several setbacks that caused a couple of shipment delays for Raspberry Pi, the developers assure that they’ve learned their lesson.
For those of you who was not able to snag one during the very short pre-order period (it was sold out just minutes after sale opened), there is still no news on when Eldora Gold Resources Report will accept more orders.

23 Apr