Raspberry Pi computer - the real cost

I already have everything I need for the board. Just hurry up and take my money! :D

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Koosi said:
This board's launch in SA is quite controversial. I've been keeping an eye on this.

They chose one of the worst possible suppliers to distribute this product in SA.
They chose RS Components, aka the "5 times the price store".
Other companies, such as Communica, Electronics123 and maybe an online retailer such as Prophecy would have been by FAR more suitable.

Because of this, and RS being deeply entrenched in UK nanny state culture, they are spending many weeks trying to get CE and god knows what else approvals on this product. God forbid the Queen finds them selling a board without CE, VDE, KEMA EUR, and UL approvals. This board is probably not going to pass most of these approvals and I am waiting to see this fall flat on its face.

In the main, products such as these, classed as "Development boards" are usually not required to even have CE markings as it is understood and accepted these things are usually used to design something, which is later then turned into a saleable and safe product.

The best advice I can give is, bring it in yourself from overseas. Stick it to RS.
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Reminder to Koosie: it's only because of RS components that you are going to be able to order one locally at all.
 
mine were spammed as well, but since unspamming them, i get regular emails telling me that delivery is imminent (is rs a division of the department of miscommunication?)

i'm looking forward to getting mine. would make a cool Christmas present to me from kyle (that's what i call myself).
 
krono9 said:
So what are you guys actually going to do with this board?
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I am hoping to order a couple because a friend wants one really badly. If I end up getting one, its going in my lounge as a media player in the place where the DSTV STB once stood. Apparently its a trivial matter to compile a media player app into this thing, and with my projector being HDMI only :( this will come in handy...

The e-mails are being flagged as spam even by Thunderbird itself. Given up trying to make them not bounce so I just check the spam folders. Amazing how legit mail like this gets nailed but real spam gets passed like water through a sieve.
 
CE testing was completed yesterday. Raspberry Pi also complies with FCC regulations (USA) as well as CTick (Australia) and what we’ve been calling “that Canadian thing”. The Raspberry Pi had to pass radiated and conducted emissions and immunity tests in a variety of configuration. (From Raspi website)
As mentioned earlier in this thread, that price is for the B version which was always going to cost about $35. RS has a low markup, to cover marketing and freight from overseas.
I actually think that RS local price is reasonable.
As for having to buy a screen, you can use it on your TV set. It is mean't to be experimentally and for hobbies.
Great value for money, and a great community to teach you how to use it.
 
Get over RS. They are a well respected international distributor and as said, if it weren't for them we wouldn't even get it. As for enclosures and this article for instance... I hate the fact that people are trying to productify the R-Pi. If it is anything it is a development board, like the Beagle or even Arduino, not a small PC or whatever you expect it to be (even though it CAN) so treat it as such and don't moan that there "is no power supply".
 
I wasnt aware that other pc's you buy come with a free screen, keyboard and mouse?
Whats the point of even saying its going to be a hidden cost if everyone would expect that with any other pc?
 
I still want one, just a bummer that the cost of ownership is higher than anticipated. I don't think it will put of the guy that just wants a cool toy, but it is becoming less viable for commercial use.
 
I've received one email update to say I"m in the queue and then no more updates.

Its a bit of a strange article saying you will need all those extras. If your into electronics then you will already have all of those things.

Its like saying when you buy a car there are hidden extra - you will need petrol/tires/servicing etc. Duuh!

Can't wait for mine to arrive...XBMC baby!
 
gregmcc said:
Its a bit of a strange article saying you will need all those extras. If your into electronics then you will already have all of those things.

Its like saying when you buy a car there are hidden extra - you will need petrol/tires/servicing etc. Duuh!
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I'm of the opinion that the writer went into "too much detail" regarding the device (for the purpose or end-game of the article). As you said, it's like seeing a car advert and then someone writes an article saying you need to consider insurance/fuel/maintenance, etc.
Anyone who has real interest in the Pi will be a)knowledgeable about the device, what it can do and what it is for and b)they will certainly "source" the necessary components from their arsenal - yes, phone chargers/micro-usb cable, SD card from an old camera, etc.

The only thing I don't have is an HDMI cable... well, that and the Pi :p
 
Buy one and you will need all the extra's to develop on it. I am wanting more than a few, and for what I want to do in use I just need the SD card, power and a network cable.

If you need all the extra's (case lol) then wait back and let those in the know get on with refining the platform for the more consumer orientated.
 
Does anyone know where we can pre-order them in SA?
Seriously wanting the model b
 
krono9 said:
So what are you guys actually going to do with this board?
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Top of my head
1. Media player top of the list.
2. DHCP/DNS server.
3. PXE server at work.
4. CCTV DVR (embedded units can be... "boring". also tracking down firmware from some obscure Taiwanese manufacturer can be a pain)

Basically, if you ever thought another pc would be handy for some specific task yet the price of a new box put you off, this is it.
 
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/desktops/raspberry-pi-testing-done-cleared-for-sale-50007577/

Raspberry Pi testing done, cleared for sale

By Joe Svetlik on 8 April 2012, 9:00am

Raspberry Pi -- the £22 computer that looks like a circuit board -- is very nearly ready to go back on sale.

It's passed EMC testing without needing any tweaks, the Raspberry Pi Foundation announced on its blog. The mini PC had been on lockdown in Panasonic's facility in South Wales (that I'd imagine resembles a Bond villain's lair) for testing all week, but now that's done there are only a couple of hurdles before it'll be back on sale. And from the sounds of things, these hurdles are considerably lower than the previous ones.

The Raspberry Pi still has to be looked over by RS Components, who makes the device, and element14/Premier Farnell, but, in the words of the blog post, "that's a piece of cake compared to what we've been doing all week." As well as gaining its CE credentials, the tiny computer also complies with FCC regulations for the USA, as well as the Australian and Canadian equivalents. So things should back in full swing very shortly.

Since being announced at the end of February, the device has attracted a huge amount of interest. It's aimed at schools looking to get kids interested in programming, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a huge following among people just interested in seeing what they can do with it. The initial batch sold out in just two hours, then subsequent shipments were delayed due to the wrong type of networking jack being soldered onto the credit card-sized computer. A little over a week ago it joined the queue at the CE testing centre.

The Pi's creators originally thought it would be sold as non-CE certified, as it's not a finished end product, but it's gone along with the decision to certify it anyway.

There's no word on when we'll see the little guy go on sale, but here's hoping it's days rather than weeks.

Will you be taking a bite of the Raspberry Pi? And what will you use it for? Let me know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
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T3rminator said:
Get over RS. They are a well respected international distributor and as said, if it weren't for them we wouldn't even get it. As for enclosures and this article for instance... I hate the fact that people are trying to productify the R-Pi. If it is anything it is a development board, like the Beagle or even Arduino, not a small PC or whatever you expect it to be (even though it CAN) so treat it as such and don't moan that there "is no power supply".
Click to expand...

+1
 
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