Finding a programmable computer for cheap can be difficult. Especially if you live in a developing region of the world where money and technology are scarce. That’s why Raspberry Pi’s mission for the last several years has been to make computers dirt cheap, and what led them to create their most recent release: the Raspberry Pi Zero, a $5 computer.
If you’ve never heard of Raspberry Pi, they’re an organization that creates very basic, programmable computers that come with USB ports, SD card clots, video headers, ethernet and more, so that no matter where you are in the world or how little money you have, you can have access to modern technology.
The Raspberry Pi Zero, just recently released in Wales, comes with the following, according to their blog:
- A Broadcom BCM2835 application processor
- 1GHz ARM11 core (40% faster than Raspberry Pi 1)
- 512MB of LPDDR2 SDRAM
- A micro-SD card slot
- A mini-HDMI socket for 1080p60 video output
- Micro-USB sockets for data and power
- An unpopulated 40-pin GPIO header
- Identical pinout to Model A+/B+/2B
- An unpopulated composite video header
- A 65mm x 30mm x 5mm form factor (their smallest so far)
The idea is pretty amazing. There have been all kinds of initiatives to make the world a more connected place. There have been many programming initiatives to teach people young and old how to program and keep up with our technologically-driven world. But people don’t even have computers to access, all of these initiatives are wasted on some of the people who need the opportunities the most.
Raspberry Pi even had a special offer for those looking to try their newest product out for the first time: a free Raspberry Pi Zero with the purchase of the December issue of The MagPi, Raspberry Pi’s magazine. The magazine included project ideas and other information about the Raspberry Pi Zero, as well as an interview with the board designer, Mike Stimson. But in the 24 hours since the issue and Raspberry Pi Zero’s release, copies have sold out nationwide, even leading to outrageous resales on ebay between £49.99 to £99 (about $75 to $150, USD).
According to the website, “tens of thousands of units” have been made so far, with more in production. The Raspberry Pi Zero runs Raspian and other apps, like Scratch, Minecraft and Sonic Pi, and is now available from the following stores:
- The Pi Hut (in the U.K.)
- Pimoroni (in the U.K.)
- Adafruit (in the U.S.)
- and in-store at your local branch of Micro Center.
Check out more information on the Raspberry Pi Zero in the video below. For those of you who aren’t as familiar with what a Raspberry Pi product can offer, a YouTube video below from the “Make Use Of” channel gives a really good look at what the computers have been capable of before.
Source: Raspberry Pi Blog, Wired, via IGN