The first Raspberry Pi computer, which costs just $35, is finally shipping after a long wait.
Engineer Eben Upton and programmer David Braben began talking about their stripped-down computer, which can play Quake 3 Arena, last May. At the time, it was the size of a flash drive, but was still able to run the Linux open-source OS with its 700-MHz ARM processor and 128MB of RAM. Since then, it became larger in size and split off into two versions — the $25 Model A and $35 Model B. The devices have seen huge demand via pre-orders.
RS Components and Allied Electronics have begun to mail the computers to those who pre-ordered them. The Model B is now available in the U.K. for £31.86 or in the U.S. for $35.
However, only the Model B started shipping today. The Model A is heading into production in the next few weeks.
The $35 Model B is about the size of a credit card, measuring 85.6mm x 53.98mm x 17mm. It features a Broadcom 700-MHz ARM11 processor, 256MB of RAM, Ethernet port, HDMI port, USB 2.0 port, 3.5mm audio jack, and runs Linux operating system off an SD card. It can play 1080p HD video and run Quake 3 Arena.
Orders for the Model B were taken through Premier Farnell and RS Components, but those sites have since changed pre-order forms to just be forms letting the companies know you’re interested in the product.