The $5 dollar computer arrives

[spuwho]

The founders of the $30 Raspberry Pi computer have come out with yet another breakthrough, the $5 computer. So small it can offered as a magazine ad attachment.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/raspberry-pi-computer/story?id=35432176

Raspberry Pi Zero: What You Can Do With This $5 Computer

The makers of Raspberry Pi announced today the company's latest fully functioning computer will be available for $5.

The Raspberry Pi Zero is about the size of a stick of chewing gum but comes with endless possibilities for everyone from programmers looking to create fun new projects to students learning about programming in the classroom.

Popular projects with Raspberry Pi include connecting the computer to home devices to create an "Internet of Things" ecosystem, building an inexpensive robot and creating games.

"The original Raspberry Pi Model B and its successors put a programmable computer within reach of anyone with $20-35 to spend," Eben Upton, founder of Raspberry Pi, wrote in a blog post today. "Since 2012, millions of people have used a Raspberry Pi to get their first experience of programming, but we still meet people for whom cost remains a barrier to entry. At the start of this year, we began work on an even cheaper Raspberry Pi to help these people take the plunge."

Despite its cheaper price, the latest addition to the Raspberry Pi family runs the Raspbian operating system and various applications including Minecraft, Sonic Pi, which allows users to play with code to produce new sounds, and Scratch, the programming language that lets people create their own stories, games and animations.

The hardware is also impressive for the price. The Raspberry Pi Zero comes with a 1Ghz chip, a micro SC slot and micro USB ports for data and power -- allowing a user to connect to the Internet with a WiFi dongle.

While the possibilities for creating are endless with Raspberry Pi Zero, the computer also comes with a mini-HDMI socket for 1080p60 video output, meaning with the right tools and direction, someone could take an old television or monitor and with Raspberry Pi Zero, turn it into a fully functioning computer.

With tens of thousands of units available now, according to Upton, customers in the United States can order online from Adafruit or at their local branch of Micro Center. The computer is being given away for free in the UK with copies of MagPi Magazine, prompting some people on Twitter to remark on just how crazy it is you can get a computer at the news stand.

[Gunnar]

Quite amazing - and the new $5 PI is actually faster than the original PI.

[IrvAdams]

I've seen demos of the Raspberry; they are excellent for learning and experimentation. Half the price of lunch - must have one!

[spuwho]

I've seen demos of the Raspberry; they are excellent for learning and experimentation. Half the price of lunch - must have one!

They are the best tools for getting technology learning skills into the hands of kids who either can't afford or don't have access to technical materials.

I can't tell you how many kids I have come across who tried to steal a laptop, not because they wanted to post on Facebook or play games, they wanted to write their own iPhone app and make money. Pi's are a great way to help learn programming at a young age.

At $5 (without a case, screen or keyboard mind you) they would work great in an "Intro to Computers" at Cub Scouts or at a Kids Camp. Let the kids put them together, teach them to load the OS and then how to write a simple program. When the class is done, they can take the Pi kit home.

[IrvAdams]

Just searched online and unfortunately they were all sold out at an unbelievably quick pace, and now available units seem to be marked up multiple times. I guess I'll have to wait until more batches are made or pay a premium now.