Aren’t computers getting small? It’s strange enough that we’re all carrying what technically amounts to a supercomputer in our pants at the moment, but now you can build a small computer for lots of other purposes, and it’s about to get even smaller, as Raspberry Pi shrinks its portion sizes.
Easily the tastiest name in the compact computing world, Raspberry Pi’s tiny computer made for students, enthusiasts, and hobbyists alike now has a new model that is even smaller than before.
You might have heard of the Raspberry Pi, and we’ve certainly covered it before: it’s a small computer made for people learning to program or keen to make little computer projects. Some of the things you can create include small sound systems, controllers for robots, home automation projects, and even video game systems.
At one point, we had even built a tiny arcade machine inside of a full size arcade joystick using a Raspberry Pi (it’s somewhere in the GadgetGuy offices).
Essentially, it’s a small computer that costs less than $50 and gives anyone with a passing interesting in programming or computer building the chance to do all of that for not much dose, and this week, it’s getting an update.
Ahead of a release of a similar project by both Microsoft and Intel working on Intel Galielo boards, the Raspberry Pi update makes its computer a little smaller, and brings more functionality, increasing the USB ports from two to four, keeping the HDMI and Ethernet, including better audio support, and switching the SD card slot for a smaller microSD card slot, which will keep the computer totally within the case, compared to how the SD cards sat just outside of the cases on the older Pi.
We’re also told the power consumption has been reduced, which will no doubt please some, even though the board still only takes the microUSB cables that charge almost every smartphone out there.
Just like last time, however, the Raspberry Pi is compatible with the Raspberry Pi camera and a small touchscreen if you so choose, making it more capable than some of the desktops you can build, especially for a budget price.
Pricing wise, we’re told this new version, Model B+, is going to sit at the same price, which in Australia will come in at around $38 before shipping, and that’s without the microSD card, microUSB cable, or case. Availability looks good for around now, with Element 14 among the first to get it locally.
