RaspberryPiBoard

Visit the R-Pi Hub



User Friendly Wiki Homepage intended to provide a clear entry point into Raspberry Pi.




 * Please note that the Raspberry Pi wiki pages on this site are a community work, the Raspberry Pi Foundation is not responsible for content on these pages


 * Please note that the Raspberry Pi isn't released yet - this page is a community work in progress in preparation for the launch

The Raspberry Pi is an ultra-low-cost (~15GBP or 25USD) credit-card sized Linux computer for teaching computer programming to children. It is developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which is a UK registered charity (Registration Number 1129409). The foundation exists to promote the study of computer science and related topics, especially at school level, and to put the fun back into learning computing.

We expect this computer to have many other applications both in the developed and the developing world.


 * Products are RoHS and CE compliant. Please contact Raspberry Pi for details regarding WEEE in your country.
 * For Raspberry Pi frequently asked questions (FAQ) see FAQ.
 * forum thread about Rpi events & attendances http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/general-discussion/conferences-and-other-public-appearances
 * You've just got your new Raspberry Pi device - what now? See beginners guides.
 * Estimated availability (as of 31st December 2011) is end January 2012 for the first batch of 10 000. On 31st December 2011 at 22:00, the Foundation auctioned the first two of ten beta boards on a seven-day auction.  The following eight were auctioned on the following days. Initially, there will be shipping from the UK and possibly the US, but will probably expand with local distributors by the second quarter of 2012.

Hardware

 * main article: Rpi Hardware

The first product is about the size of a credit card, and is designed to plug into a TV or be combined with a touch screen for a low cost tablet. It comes in two tastes, A and B, with B having more features. The expected price is 25$ for model A, and 35$ for model B. The GPIO pins on each board allow the use of optional expansion boards.

Software

 * main article: Rpi Software

The Raspberry Pi is a fully capable ARM computer, so it should be able to run about everything compiled for ARM (within specifications) with little or no modification. (some more explanation needed, for example how it uses the sd card and distribution and GPU blob etc. keep it short, long in the main article)

Accessories & Peripherals

 * Verified pheripherals: RaspberryPiBoardVerifiedPeripherals

Case

 * Main article: Rpi Cases

A protective case is an often-cited required accessory. Cases are likely to be offered both directly from Raspberry Pi and from 3rd party companies such as Special Computing. But given the small form factor and power requirements, you could easily put it in about everything: Rpi case thread

Power Adapters
Most power adaptors for modern cell phones will do (look for the microUSB connector)
 * See also Power Ratings
 * Power supply Warning: Cheap knock-offs may be unable to cope with the power demands of the Pi, may output unacceptablly high voltages or may not provide adequate safety isolation between mains and low voltage sides.
 * A suitable power supply (with UK/US/EU plug compatibility) will be available from the Rpi shop. Recommended if you are unsure what is suitable. Price tba.

Screens

 * Main article: Rpi Screens


 * The Broadcom BCM2835 provides HDMI output and composite output (the yellow plug on your tv or SCART socket). It does not provide VGA.


 * The HDMI output is easily converted to DVI-D using an inexpensive passive adaptor.
 * Using one of the commonly seen HDMI to DVI Convertors as above (which use DVI-D), then using a DVI to VGA adapter won't work as HDMI does not supply the DVI-A (analogue) needed to convert to VGA. Therefore converting an HDMI or DVI-D source to VGA (or component) needs an active convertor. (It can work out cheaper to buy a new monitor)

Storage
about the SD card & external HDD's

Expansion boards

 * main page: Rpi expansion boards

It is planned that expansion boards will be offered both by Raspberry Pi Foundation and by 3rd parties during 2012.


 * The first expansion board, nicknamed Gertboard after Gert van Loo, the developer of the Gerboard and one of the principal Hardware Engineers for Raspberry Pi, was announced on 17th December 2011:


 * On 2nd January 2012, CJE/4D announced that they have a real-time clock (RTC) expansion board in the works:

Low-level peripherals

 * Main article: Rpi Low-level peripherals

If you want your board to DO something, like driving a motor, reading a sensor or communicating with another device, on a low (hardware) level, try reading the article. A simpler solution could be an Rpi Gertboard, which provides much of the electronics to do just that. The board brings out the GPIO pins, next to UART,SPI,I2C and the 5v and 3v3 rail in a 2x13 50mil expansion header. The MIPI CSI-2 interface is brought out to unpopulated pads.
 * The MIPI interface is used for cameras.

Manual
A manual is currently in production by members of the Computing At School working group. This began on the 13 October 2011 and is due to be ready for early March 2012. The manual is aimed at the project's target audience, children, so that they can take their "First steps in Computer Science".

For the first release (~January/February 2012), there will mostly likely be very minimal documentation. A 'schools' release is due in June/July 2012.

Availability
The first batch of Model B cards entered manufacturing "a couple of days" before January 10th, 2012. An official twitter message on January 20th said that they'd be ready in about 3 weeks, which would put availability around February 10th, 2012. It has been stated that they would do QA on the boards for about a week, that may or may not be included in the 3-week estimate.

The first batch will be 10,000 units, and they will be limiting orders to 1 per address. If it sells out, they will immediately start production of the next batch. It has been stated that there is sufficient funding for 100,000 units, before any sales.

Manufacturing started with Model Bs because it is believed that there is more demand for them. Model A boards will be produced in a subsequent batch.

Please note that these are projections of estimated manufacturing and shipping time, and assume that no issues are discovered with the first batch of boards. All times are subject to change.

Shipping
Raspberry Pi will ship worldwide to the best of their ability (ie subject to UK export and local import laws).

Countries that may block the import due to their local laws include China (products imported or re-imported into China require a CCC certificate). This author is unaware if development boards such as the Raspberry Pi require a CCC certificate.

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

Raspberry Pi devices will ship from the UK (and possibly US) and Raspberry Pi will be looking to sign up distribution partners in due course.

The Raspberry Pi team have stated that they'll charge P&P at cost and are currently planning to use Royal Mail for shipping.

To get an idea of postage charges, take a look at the Royal Mail website: [http://www.royalmail.com/price-finder ] Look for a package just bigger than 85mm x 55mm x 30mm, weight about 55 grams.

As an example: New Zealand, small package 100grams, air mail 5 days : £2.05 for postage. Add around £3 for packaging and you are looking in the region of £5 for postage and packaging.

Articles, Conferences, Links

 * Articles & Links page (not frequently updated)
 * Educational links (not frequently updated)
 * Conferences (R.Pi Forum thread)
 * Beginners' Guide on h2g2

Thanks

 * The layout for this page is based on the excellent BeagleBoard page on this site. (Before it was cut to pieces)
 * Some of the text on this page has been adapted from contributions made by the contributors to the BeagleBoard page on this site.