A computer that costs only US$5, or less than R75? That’s what the team behind the popular Raspberry Pi has just unveiled.
The Raspberry Pi Zero, which goes on sale immediately (in limited quantities for now), has a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, microSD card slot, micro USB port for power and data transfer, and a mini-HDMI socket for outputting video at 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second.
“The original Raspberry Pi Model B and its successors put a programmable computer within reach of anyone with $20-$35 to spend. Since 2012, millions of people have used a Raspberry Pi to get their first experience of programming, but we still meet people for whom cost remains a barrier to entry,” said Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton in a blog post announcing the Pi Zero.
“Of all the things we do at Raspberry Pi, driving down the cost of computer hardware remains one of the most important. Even in the developed world, a programmable computer is a luxury item for a lot of people, and every extra dollar that we ask someone to spend decreases the chance that they’ll choose to get involved.”
The 1GHz ARM11 core, Broadcom BCM2835 processor in the Pi Zero is “up-clocked” and 40% faster the the processor in the original Raspberry Pi. And the new device is tiny — at just 65x30x5mm.
“We’ve built several tens of thousands of units so far, and are building more, but we expect demand to outstrip supply for the next little while,” Upton said.
Introducing PIZERO from Raspberry Pi Foundation on Vimeo.
The Pi Zero is only available in the US and the UK for now, and orders are limited to two per customer. There’s no word yet on when it will get to South Africa officially, though hobbyists will no doubt be able to get their hands on them soon.
Those in the UK will be able to get the Pi Zero for free with the December issued of The MagPi magazine as part of a giveaway. Upton joked that it’s the first time a computer has been given away with a magazine. — (c) 2015 NewsCentral Media
