The Raspberry Pi, is a £25, $36, computer the size of a credit card!
Inspired by Moulders recent blog, I realized that I should write about this.
What It Does & What It Uses
There are two models of it, Model B and the cheaper Model A.
Model B Specifications
• Two USB Ports
• An Ethernet Port (CAT5)
• GPIO Ports
• HDMI
• Composite Video
• SD Card Port
• Sound Port
• Micro USB
The SD Card port is used so that you can put NOOBS in (New Out Of Box Software). This holds the different Distro's. The HDMI port is for a screen like the Composite video port. USB 2.0 Ports for mouse and keyboard.
The GPIO port is so that you can plug an LCD Dot Matrix into the Pi, then using the free Pi forums, there are scripts for python to use the GPIO(General Purpose Input Output).
Model A
• A USB Port
• HDMI
• GPIO
• Audio Port
• Micro USB for power
• SD Card
Although being the cheaper comparison to Model B, it doesn't have as many features, so you would need to buy an externally powered USB, as the pi cannot use a powered hub through the pi due to the small amount of power it needs.
Each distro/flavour has it's own capabilities take RaspBMC, it's a media-player based off of XBMC so you can basically plug it into your TV and make it a smart TV. Or take the reccomended 'Raspbian' with an aptitude cache with over 100,000 files installed.
But, there are some problems with both models, the problem being speed, because it is running on the BCM2835-SOC, or in precise English: Broadcom 2835 System on Chip. Apart from that the only other major flaw is one to do with crashing which happens due to over use.
All in all, the Raspberry Pi is a cheap, lightweight, streamlined and afforadble credit-card sized computer, despite all the other costs it looks like it could be a good Christmas present.
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