Difference between revisions of "RPi Buying Guide"

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Raspberry Pi has appointed [http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi Premier Farnell] and [http://rswww.com RS Components] as its authorised manufacturing distributors.
 
Raspberry Pi has appointed [http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi Premier Farnell] and [http://rswww.com RS Components] as its authorised manufacturing distributors.
  
If you see the units for sale from other sources (in particular eBay), it is likely that they are at BEST hopeful resellers, or SCAM sites, either way units will not be available any sooner than through the above distributors, or you will pay far more than it is worth (if you get it at all).
+
As of July 16th 2012, both [http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi Premier Farnell] and [http://rswww.com RS Components] are removing their "one per customer" restriction. Both consumers and businesses alike will now be able to buy bulk stock of the Raspberry Pi.
  
 
Raspberry Pi's distributors will ship worldwide to the best of their ability (ie subject to origin export and local import laws).
 
Raspberry Pi's distributors will ship worldwide to the best of their ability (ie subject to origin export and local import laws).
 +
 +
  
 
Countries that are currently subject to UK (including EU and UN) export restrictions include North Korea, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Zimbabwe. A full list and further details are provided at [http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1084100244]
 
Countries that are currently subject to UK (including EU and UN) export restrictions include North Korea, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Zimbabwe. A full list and further details are provided at [http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1084100244]
Line 14: Line 16:
 
For shipping costs, please refer to the websites of the authorised resellers.
 
For shipping costs, please refer to the websites of the authorised resellers.
  
===Premier Farnell Worldwide===
+
 
 +
==Distributor Links==
 +
[[RPi Buying Links By Country | Buying Links By Country]] to order from your part of the world (includes direct links to the product and additional details about each local distributor etc, or see the worldwide links below.
 +
 
 +
===Farnell Worldwide===
 
'''Premier Farnell''' also trades worldwide under the names '''Farnell''', '''Element14''', '''Newark Electronics''', '''CPC''' and '''MCM Electronics'''.
 
'''Premier Farnell''' also trades worldwide under the names '''Farnell''', '''Element14''', '''Newark Electronics''', '''CPC''' and '''MCM Electronics'''.
 +
 +
[http://www.farnell.com/ Farnell Worldwide Links]
 +
 +
Farnell Partner Sites:
 +
 +
[http://cpc.farnell.com/ CPC]
 +
 +
[http://www.newark.com/ Newark Electronics]
 +
 +
[http://www.mcmelectronics.com/ MCM]
  
 
===RS Components Worldwide===
 
===RS Components Worldwide===
 
'''RS Components''' also trades worldwide under the names '''Electrocomponents''', '''Allied Electronics''' and '''DesignSpark'''.
 
'''RS Components''' also trades worldwide under the names '''Electrocomponents''', '''Allied Electronics''' and '''DesignSpark'''.
  
 +
[http://www.rs-components.com/index.html RS-Components Worldwide Links]
  
 
== Sales order numbers ==
 
== Sales order numbers ==
Line 27: Line 44:
 
* FarnellNewark.br: currently unknown
 
* FarnellNewark.br: currently unknown
 
* Newark: 83T1943
 
* Newark: 83T1943
* RS, Electrocomponents: currently unknown
+
* RS, Electrocomponents: currently unknown.  To order from RS or Electrocomponents, please fill in their expression of interest page to be added to the queue. When they are ready to fulfil, they'll invite you to complete a secure payment form.
 
 
 
 
=== Australia ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://au.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://australia.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
  
=== Brazil ===
+
=1st Production Run & Release=
* FarnellNewark (main site): http://www.farnellnewark.com.br
 
* Farnell (expression of interest): http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi
 
* RS Export (expression of interest): http://int.rsdelivers.com/campaigns/raspberry/pi.aspx
 
 
 
=== Bulgaria ===
 
* Comet Electronics (Farnell reseller/distributor) http://comet.bg
 
 
 
=== Cambodia ===
 
Both distributors ship from their Singapore depot:
 
* Element 14 Singapore (pre-order): http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS Singapore (expression of interest): http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Canada ===
 
* Allied Electronics (pre-order): http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70229569
 
* Allied Electronics (expression of interest): http://www.alliedelec.com/raspberrypi/
 
* Newark (pre-order - note price is probably incorrect): http://canada.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/dp/83T1943
 
 
 
=== China ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://cn.element14.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?id=2081185
 
* Element 14 (expression of interest): http://downloads.element14.com/raspberryPi3.html
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://china.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Denmark ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://dk.farnell.com/jsp/search/displayProduct.jsp?sku=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://dk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== France ===
 
(March 3, 2012 at 9:55 am: Reports that RS requires company details; Farnell postage is expensive)
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://fr.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://radiospares-fr.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Germany ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://de.farnell.com/jsp/search/displayProduct.jsp?sku=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://de.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Hong Kong ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://hk.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (Chinese, expression of interest): http://hongkong02.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
* RS (English, expression of interest): http://hongkong01.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Hungary ===
 
* FDH.hu (Farnell.hu, pre-order): http://fdh.hu/product/show/533174
 
 
 
=== Italy ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://it.farnell.com/jsp/search/displayProduct.jsp?sku=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://it.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== India ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://in.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (main site): http://in.rsdelivers.com/
 
 
 
=== Indonesia ===
 
* Element 14 Singapore (pre-order): http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (main site): http://www.rs-components.co.id/
 
 
 
=== Ireland ===
 
* CPC Farnell (main site): http://cpcireland.farnell.com/
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://ie.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* Radionics RS (expression of interest): http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Japan ===
 
* Element 14 (expression of interest): downloads.element14.com/raspberryPi3.html
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://jp.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Korea ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://kr.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (main site): http://kr.rs-online.com/web/
 
* RS (expression of interest, page offline at time of writing): http://kr.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Laos ===
 
Both companies supply from their Singapore depot:
 
* Element 14 Singapore (pre-order): http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS Singapore (expression of interest): http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Malaysia ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://my.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://malaysia.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Myanmar ===
 
* Element 14 Singapore (pre-order): http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
 
 
=== Mexico ===
 
* Allied Electronics (pre-order, unconfirmed): http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70229569
 
* Allied Electronics (expression of interest): http://www.alliedelec.com/raspberrypi/
 
* Newark (pre-order - note price is probably incorrect): http://mexico.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/dp/83T1943
 
* Newark (expression of interest): http://downloads.element14.com/raspberryPi2.html
 
* RS (main site): http://mx.rsdelivers.com/
 
 
 
=== Netherlands ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://nl.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* Farnell (expression of interest): http://piregistration.element14.com/raspberryPi1.html
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://nl.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== New Zealand ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://nz.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Phillipines ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://ph.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://philippines.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Poland ===
 
* Farnell (expression of interest): http://piregistration.element14.com/raspberryPi1.html?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://pl.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Portugal ===
 
* Farnell (expression of interest): http://piregistration.element14.com/raspberryPi1.html?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://pt.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Romania ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://ro.farnell.com/jsp/search/displayProduct.jsp?sku=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest, currently unavailable): http://ro.rsdelivers.com/catalogue/search.aspx?query=raspberry%20pi
 
 
 
=== Russia ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://ru.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (main page): http://ru.rsdelivers.com/
 
* RS (expression of interest, Ukraine): http://ua.rsdelivers.com/campaigns/raspberry/pi.aspx
 
 
 
=== Singapore ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Spain ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://es.farnell.com/jsp/search/displayProduct.jsp?sku=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://es.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Sweden ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://se.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://se.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Taiwan ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://tw.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (English, expression of interest): http://taiwan01.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
* RS (Chinese, expression of interest): http://taiwan02.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Thailand ===
 
* Element 14 (pre-order): http://th.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://thailand.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Ukraine ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order): http://ru.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://ua.rsdelivers.com/campaigns/raspberry/pi.aspx
 
 
 
=== UK ===
 
* Farnell (pre-order - currently redirects to EOI form): http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=2081185
 
* Farnell (expression of interest): http://piregistration.element14.com/raspberryPi1.html
 
* CPC Farnell (pre-order - link currently redirects to EOI form): http://cpc.farnell.com/SC12590
 
* CPC Farnell (expression of interest): http://planet.farnell.com/email/cpc/WebExclusive/RaspberryPi_form.htm?isRedirect=true
 
* RS (expression of interest): http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== USA ===
 
* Allied Electronics (pre-order): http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70229569
 
* Allied Electronics (expression of interest): http://www.alliedelec.com/raspberrypi/
 
* Newark Element 14 (pre-order): http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/dp/83T1943
 
 
 
=== Vietnam ===
 
Both distributors supply from their Singapore depots:
 
* Element14 Singapore: (pre-order) http://sg.element14.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-pcba/sbc-raspberry-pi-model-b/dp/2081185
 
* RS Singapore (expression of interest): http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=raspberrypi
 
 
 
=== Other ===
 
Please carefully check whether any of the following companies operate in your territory:
 
* [http://www.alliedelec.com/ Allied Electronics]
 
* [http://cpc.farnell.com/ CPC Farnell] (a.k.a CPC)
 
* [http://www.designspark.com/ DesignSpark]
 
* [http://www.electrocomponents.com/ Electrocomponents]
 
* [http://au.element14.com/ Element 14] (covers most of Asia, Pacific and Australasia)
 
* [http://www.farnell.com/ Farnell] (a.k.a Premier Farnell and Farnell Element 14)
 
* [http://www.farnellnewark.com.br/ FarnellNewark]
 
* [http://www.mcmelectronics.com/ MCM Electronics]
 
* [http://www.newark.com/ Newark] (a.k.a Newark Element 14 and Newark Electronics)
 
* [http://www.farnell.com/ Premier Farnell] (a.k.a Farnell and Farnell Element 14)
 
* [http://www.rs-components.com/ RS Components]
 
 
 
If not, you can use the export service of the following companies.  There will be extra shipping and duties to be paid when using this option.
 
 
 
* Allied Electronics: http://www.alliedelec.com/raspberrypi/
 
* Farnell Distributors: http://export.farnell.com/jsp/home/exportHome.jsp
 
* Farnell Export: http://export.farnell.com/jsp/home/homepage.jsp?_DARGS=/jsp/home/exportHome.jsp_A&_DAV=en_EX_DIRECTEXP
 
* RS Export: http://export.rsdelivers.com/
 
 
 
==1st Production Run & Release==
 
 
  The initial 10,000 RaspberryPi Boards have sold out. Preorders for coming batches are possible.
 
  The initial 10,000 RaspberryPi Boards have sold out. Preorders for coming batches are possible.
  
Line 222: Line 52:
 
# Due to extreme demand, the units will be NOT sold directly from the [http://www.raspberrypi.com shop] (see [[#Licensed Manufacture]] below).
 
# Due to extreme demand, the units will be NOT sold directly from the [http://www.raspberrypi.com shop] (see [[#Licensed Manufacture]] below).
 
# You may buy a Raspberry Pi from [http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi Farnell] or from [http://rswww.com RS Components]
 
# You may buy a Raspberry Pi from [http://www.element14.com/raspberrypi Farnell] or from [http://rswww.com RS Components]
# A limit of one unit per person - unfortunately this also means no combined shipping for this batch (demand depends how long this will be enforced)*
+
# A limit of one unit per person - unfortunately this also means no combined shipping for this batch (now available)*
 
# Normal unlimited sales should take place quickly after.
 
# Normal unlimited sales should take place quickly after.
  
Line 230: Line 60:
 
   This has also appears to apply for the pre-orders they have taken.
 
   This has also appears to apply for the pre-orders they have taken.
  
===1st Batch Order FAQ===
+
==1st Batch Order FAQ==
 
  NOTE: While every attempt has been made to provide accurate information,
 
  NOTE: While every attempt has been made to provide accurate information,
 
       this FAQ is not official and is based on what information is available at the time of writing.
 
       this FAQ is not official and is based on what information is available at the time of writing.
====Press Releases====
+
===Press Releases===
 
'''Farnell:'''
 
'''Farnell:'''
  
Line 255: Line 85:
  
 
====Q: If interest was obviously so high...why only build 10,000 units?====
 
====Q: If interest was obviously so high...why only build 10,000 units?====
There is a big risk involved with building a large batch of units and selling them, and 10,000 units would take well over $250,000 in capital investment.  For a charity, that is a massive ask in itself.
+
There is a big risk involved with building a large batch of units and selling them, and 10,000 units would take well over $250,000 in capital investment.  For a very small charity, that is a massive task in itself. Much of that funding came from the Foundation Trustees' own personal investment.
 
 
Thankfully, the massive bonus of licensing out manufacture, is that the build rate is no longer limited by the foundations own funding, which means there will be many more units available much sooner.
 
  
 +
Thankfully, the massive bonus of licensing out manufacture, is that the build rate is no longer limited by the foundation's own funding, which means there will be many more units available much sooner.
  
 
====Q: I've been unable to register an account with the distributor, as I am not a company?====
 
====Q: I've been unable to register an account with the distributor, as I am not a company?====
Line 277: Line 106:
  
 
====Q: The price for the RPi from Farnell verses the price from RS Components is different, why?====
 
====Q: The price for the RPi from Farnell verses the price from RS Components is different, why?====
RS Components (at least for the UK) do not include shipping costs for non-corporate accounts. Farnell (again for the UK) will ship for free.
+
Please see the following page for details about [http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/826 RS Components and Farnell global pricing] (13 March 2012).
 
 
  
 
====Q: I've only been able to register my interest, what now?====
 
====Q: I've only been able to register my interest, what now?====
Line 291: Line 119:
 
The email contained the same information about the announcement as was publicly posted on the website (28th Feb 2012) before launch day, no additional or extra information was given through the email.
 
The email contained the same information about the announcement as was publicly posted on the website (28th Feb 2012) before launch day, no additional or extra information was given through the email.
  
==Licensed Manufacture==
+
====Q: What shipping has happened?====
 +
Approximately 1600 units have been shipped to customers.
 +
 
 +
Some users are [http://elinux.org/RPi_Shipping reporting] their ordering and shipping details.
 +
 
 +
=Licensed Manufacture=
 
The foundation has chosen to license manufacture of the RPi, which should provide several advantages including:
 
The foundation has chosen to license manufacture of the RPi, which should provide several advantages including:
  
Line 306: Line 139:
  
  
==What You Get In The Box==
+
=What You Get In The Box=
 
This is unconfirmed until units start to ship:
 
This is unconfirmed until units start to ship:
  
Line 317: Line 150:
 
''1. The board will be supplied assembled (since most of the components are not suitable for home builds, including the BGA<ref name="BGA">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_grid_array</ref>package mounted SoC<ref name="SoC">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_on_a_chip</ref> and PoP<ref name="PoP">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_on_package</ref> memory).''
 
''1. The board will be supplied assembled (since most of the components are not suitable for home builds, including the BGA<ref name="BGA">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_grid_array</ref>package mounted SoC<ref name="SoC">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_on_a_chip</ref> and PoP<ref name="PoP">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_on_package</ref> memory).''
  
''2. The board will NOT have GPIO or JTAG header pins (are not supplied, although may be available from the shop later on).''
+
''2. The board will NOT have JTAG header pins (are not supplied, although may be available from the shop later on).''
  
''3. The board will NOT have CSI and DSI connectors fitted (needs confirmation).''
+
''3. All other connectors will be assembled in place.''
  
''4. All other connectors will be assembled in place.''
+
=Accessories=
 
+
Some accessories will be made available from the shop, aswell as at The Pi Hut's [http://thepihut.com/ Raspberry Pi Store]
==Accessories==
 
Some accessories will be made available from the shop (farnell have several bundles planned):
 
 
* USB Power Supply (UK/EU/US Compatible)<ref>http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/general-discussion/is-the-raspberrypi-going-to-be-sold-as-a-kit/#p32289</ref>
 
* USB Power Supply (UK/EU/US Compatible)<ref>http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/general-discussion/is-the-raspberrypi-going-to-be-sold-as-a-kit/#p32289</ref>
 
* Pre-Prepared System SD-Card (software will be provided to prepare your own) -size is unconfirmed
 
* Pre-Prepared System SD-Card (software will be provided to prepare your own) -size is unconfirmed
Line 331: Line 162:
 
''See [[RPi Hardware Basic Setup#Typical Hardware You Will Need | Typical Hardware You Will Need]] for details about other items you may require.''
 
''See [[RPi Hardware Basic Setup#Typical Hardware You Will Need | Typical Hardware You Will Need]] for details about other items you may require.''
  
==Price==
+
=Price=
 +
The price is $35USD before shipping, duty, and tax, about $60 after.
 +
 
 
Although the foundation is UK based, the guide price of the units are in USD since the RPi components are sourced in USD$.
 
Although the foundation is UK based, the guide price of the units are in USD since the RPi components are sourced in USD$.
  
The price is $25USD (~£16GBP) for model A, and $35USD (~£23GBP) for model B.
+
The price is $25USD (~£16GBP) for model A(not yet avalable), and $35USD (~£23GBP) for model B.
  
 
Items will be subject to local Tax (i.e. UK will have 20% VAT added) and shipping cost is not included.
 
Items will be subject to local Tax (i.e. UK will have 20% VAT added) and shipping cost is not included.
  
==Clones & Copies==
+
See the following update on [http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/826 RS Components and Farnell global pricing] (13th March 2012).
 +
 
 +
=Clones & Copies=
 
The foundation plans to release all the required schematics and plans to reproduce the RPi hardware, so clones and copies will be welcome.
 
The foundation plans to release all the required schematics and plans to reproduce the RPi hardware, so clones and copies will be welcome.
  
Line 344: Line 179:
  
  
==References==
+
=References=
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
 
{{Template:Raspberry Pi}}
 
{{Template:Raspberry Pi}}

Revision as of 23:22, 22 August 2012


RaspPi.png Back to the Hub


Getting Started:

Buying Guide - for advice on buying the Raspberry Pi.

SD Card Setup - for information on how to prepare the SD Card used to boot your Raspberry Pi.

Basic Setup - for help with buying / selecting other hardware and setting it up.

Beginners Guide - you are up and running, now what can you do?

Latest RPi 4 Topics - Recent topics on Raspberry Pi 4 and the Pi OS

Advanced Setup - for more extensive information on setting up.

Trouble Shooting - some things to check if things don't work as expected.


Ordering

Raspberry Pi has appointed Premier Farnell and RS Components as its authorised manufacturing distributors.

As of July 16th 2012, both Premier Farnell and RS Components are removing their "one per customer" restriction. Both consumers and businesses alike will now be able to buy bulk stock of the Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi's distributors will ship worldwide to the best of their ability (ie subject to origin export and local import laws).


Countries that are currently subject to UK (including EU and UN) export restrictions include North Korea, Iran, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Zimbabwe. A full list and further details are provided at [1]

For shipping costs, please refer to the websites of the authorised resellers.


Distributor Links

Buying Links By Country to order from your part of the world (includes direct links to the product and additional details about each local distributor etc, or see the worldwide links below.

Farnell Worldwide

Premier Farnell also trades worldwide under the names Farnell, Element14, Newark Electronics, CPC and MCM Electronics.

Farnell Worldwide Links

Farnell Partner Sites:

CPC

Newark Electronics

MCM

RS Components Worldwide

RS Components also trades worldwide under the names Electrocomponents, Allied Electronics and DesignSpark.

RS-Components Worldwide Links

Sales order numbers

  • Allied Electronics: 70229569
  • CPC Farnell: SC12590
  • Farnell, Element 14: 2081185 or 83T1943
  • FarnellNewark.br: currently unknown
  • Newark: 83T1943
  • RS, Electrocomponents: currently unknown. To order from RS or Electrocomponents, please fill in their expression of interest page to be added to the queue. When they are ready to fulfil, they'll invite you to complete a secure payment form.

1st Production Run & Release

The initial 10,000 RaspberryPi Boards have sold out. Preorders for coming batches are possible.
  1. The foundation have built an initial run of 10,000 Model-B units.
  2. Due to extreme demand, the units will be NOT sold directly from the shop (see #Licensed Manufacture below).
  3. You may buy a Raspberry Pi from Farnell or from RS Components
  4. A limit of one unit per person - unfortunately this also means no combined shipping for this batch (now available)*
  5. Normal unlimited sales should take place quickly after.
* There were reports that several people ordered multiple units at launch,
  however it appears that Farnell removed any excess items when they reviewed
  and confirmed the order for shipping dates.
  This has also appears to apply for the pre-orders they have taken.

1st Batch Order FAQ

NOTE: While every attempt has been made to provide accurate information,
      this FAQ is not official and is based on what information is available at the time of writing.

Press Releases

Farnell:

Post-Launch FAQ by Farnell, see their attached docx file for details.


RS Components:

Post-Launch statement by RS Components

Raspberry Pi, Your Questions Answered by RS Components

Q: Couldn't this have been handled better, I couldn't get on the site to order and they sold too quickly?

Both distributors were indeed unprepared for the volume of traffic the launch generated (they were warned by the foundation before hand).

Chances are if the foundation had gone with their original plan of selling through their own shop, the situation would have been far worse, with no option of pre-order either.

The distributors only have 5,000 units each to sell, reports have estimated the registered interest/pre-orders totalling over 2 million (no official figures available yet). Even if it is half of that, it means the number of available units was less than 1% of the demand.


Q: If interest was obviously so high...why only build 10,000 units?

There is a big risk involved with building a large batch of units and selling them, and 10,000 units would take well over $250,000 in capital investment. For a very small charity, that is a massive task in itself. Much of that funding came from the Foundation Trustees' own personal investment.

Thankfully, the massive bonus of licensing out manufacture, is that the build rate is no longer limited by the foundation's own funding, which means there will be many more units available much sooner.

Q: I've been unable to register an account with the distributor, as I am not a company?

There have been several reported problems with individuals placing orders (i.e. not having company accounts or details).

Both distributors "should" take orders from individuals, however it appears each of the different localised sites may have different requirements so this will be investigated to ensure that this is corrected if needed.

Often, many of the company related fields on application are optional, if in doubt contact their sales team for help.


Q: Worldwide launch? It was not available here!

The distributors decided to make the units only available from selected locations, it appears the foundation were not made aware of this beforehand.

Considering the small number of available units, it would have been unlikely to have improved the situation.

Worldwide availability will be monitored, it is expected that they will be made available as soon as possible.


Q: The price for the RPi from Farnell verses the price from RS Components is different, why?

Please see the following page for details about RS Components and Farnell global pricing (13 March 2012).

Q: I've only been able to register my interest, what now?

Be patient, both distributors have said they will contact people when they have more details (alternatively keep an eye on their sites for news).

RS Components, in particular have only taken people's details, and according to the above press-release will wait until they receive their allocated 5,000 units.


Q: I registered on the Raspberry Pi Site's Mailing List but I didn't get an email

Unfortunately, the mail server had problems with sending out the 100K+ emails in time, it is believed the email was often marked as spam by a lot of email systems so was rejected or returned on-mass, or sent to Junk folders. Yes, this system should have been tested, but the foundation were keen not to send unnecessary emails to people prior to launch.

The email contained the same information about the announcement as was publicly posted on the website (28th Feb 2012) before launch day, no additional or extra information was given through the email.

Q: What shipping has happened?

Approximately 1600 units have been shipped to customers.

Some users are reporting their ordering and shipping details.

Licensed Manufacture

The foundation has chosen to license manufacture of the RPi, which should provide several advantages including:

  1. The involvement of RS Components and Premier Farnell means that build volume can be increased much, much faster than would have been possible otherwise. Due to costs and working capital, the foundation would have been limited to batches of only 10k Raspberry Pis; the Raspberry Pi will now be being built to match demand.
  2. Both Premier Farnell and RS Components have worldwide distribution networks, so wherever you are in the world, you will be able to buy from a local distributor. It’s a much better way for you to buy than getting them all shipped from the Foundation in the UK.
  3. Both RS Components and Premier Farnell will be taking preorders, something which the foundation would otherwise be unable to do.
  4. The foundation will still receive a percentage from the sale of every RPi sold, which will be put straight back into the charity.
  5. Primarily, by removing the focus on dealing with manufacture, distribution and sales, this frees up the limited resources of the foundation to focus on the original aims and goals of the project.

Additional detail is available in the video interview between Eben Upton and SlashDot here (28/02/12).



What You Get In The Box

This is unconfirmed until units start to ship:

1. Pre-Assembled Raspberry Pi board

2. Quick Start Guide (likely to be paper copy of RPi Model-AB Guide)

Note:

1. The board will be supplied assembled (since most of the components are not suitable for home builds, including the BGA[1]package mounted SoC[2] and PoP[3] memory).

2. The board will NOT have JTAG header pins (are not supplied, although may be available from the shop later on).

3. All other connectors will be assembled in place.

Accessories

Some accessories will be made available from the shop, aswell as at The Pi Hut's Raspberry Pi Store

  • USB Power Supply (UK/EU/US Compatible)[4]
  • Pre-Prepared System SD-Card (software will be provided to prepare your own) -size is unconfirmed
  • Cases (will be available in a few months - i.e. Q2 2012)
  • AddOn/Expansion Boards (will be available later on - i.e. GertBoard due soon)

See Typical Hardware You Will Need for details about other items you may require.

Price

The price is $35USD before shipping, duty, and tax, about $60 after.

Although the foundation is UK based, the guide price of the units are in USD since the RPi components are sourced in USD$.

The price is $25USD (~£16GBP) for model A(not yet avalable), and $35USD (~£23GBP) for model B.

Items will be subject to local Tax (i.e. UK will have 20% VAT added) and shipping cost is not included.

See the following update on RS Components and Farnell global pricing (13th March 2012).

Clones & Copies

The foundation plans to release all the required schematics and plans to reproduce the RPi hardware, so clones and copies will be welcome.

However, since the unit is built around the Broadcom SoC, the interested party will require suitable sized orders to obtain them. The foundation were fortunate enough to be supported in this aspect by Broadcom to enable the project to be feasible.


References