The Raspberry Pi is a tiny computer no bigger than the size of a drivers license. It was originally created to help people to learn how to program. Although it is smaller than the average desktop computer, the Raspberry Pi has relatively high processing power and can run many different programs, including Rasbian, Linux, and Windows 10. This small computer is often used in projects that require some kind of interface to run mechanical or electrical components. The use case for the Raspberry Pi is somewhat similar to an Arduino Micro Controller. The Raspberry Pi is capable of doing almost anything a basic computer could do, such as word processing, browsing the internet, and streaming high definition video. It also contains many fun programming games designed to teach even the most computer illiterate how to program computers. Not only is this computer versatile and powerful, it's inexpensive. Each model of the computer is $40 or less, with the least expensive model, the Pi Zero, being only $5. The Raspberry Pi is also currently the best selling PC in the United Kingdom.
The Origin of the Raspberry Pi:
The Raspberry Pi Foundation was created to get more people interested in computer science at the University of Cambridge, due to the lack of incoming students in the program. Several Cambridge faculty members at the time, including Elon Upton (one of the Founders of Raspberry Pi Trading and CEO), became the founders of this program. It was eventually classified as a charity in 2009. The goal was to make an affordable computer, and by doing so, make learning programming more accessible for newcomers. The Raspberry Pi is used widely in primary and secondary education throughout Europe, and it is beginning to be used more prevalently in other countries, including the United States of America. Many primary education centers are utilizing the Raspberry Pi to help children learn basic programming (i.e., Python) as early as first or second grade.
The current available Raspberry Pi models available for purchase as of right now are listed below in order of their creation:
Raspberry Pi 1 Model A, A+, B, B+: US$24.95 (4)
This model (pictured below) was the first ever Raspberry Pi and was released in February of 2012.
Raspberry Pi 1
Features:
700 MHz single-core ARM1176JZF-S 32-bit CPU processor
256MB RAM (shared with the GPU)
One USB 2.0 port
15-pin MIPI camera interface
An HDMI output
A micro-SD slot.
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B: US$39.95 (4)
The Raspberry Pi 2 was released in February 2015.
Raspberry Pi 2 with hand for reference
Features:
An upgraded CPU: 900 MHz 32-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A7
Three more USB ports (for a total of four)
Upgraded the RAM to 1GB
All other features of the Raspberry Pi 1
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: US$35 (4)
This is the strongest and most recent model of the Raspberry Pi full sized systems and was released in February 2016 just one year after the Pi 2.
Raspberry Pi 3
Features:
Bluetooth functionality
Built in WiFi adapter
Upgraded CPU: 1.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
All other features of the Raspberry Pi 2
Raspberry Pi Zero: US$5 (4)
This is the smallest of the Raspberry Pi models.
Raspberry Pi Zero
The Pi Zero was released in February 2015, alongside the Pi 2, and is about 1/4th the size of its regularly-sized Raspberry Pi counterparts. In order to achieve the smaller size and lower price, the designers had to eliminate the HDMI port and reduce the processor's speed, but it is still capable--containing all the features of the original Pi 1, with an upgraded CPU.
Use in Today's Technology:
Manufacturing:
Many automated systems use what is called a controller to run their operations; these controllers can cost hundreds to even thousands of dollars. Smaller, customizable computers and controllers have been lacking in the manufacturing industry for a very long time. Now, with microcomputers like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino micro controller, companies in manufacturing that use or manufacture automated systems can save thousands upon thousands by swapping out expensive, uniform controllers for these powerful microcomputers.
Gaming and Media Retrieval:
Many people that have purchased a Raspberry Pi microcomputer have used it for applications like media streaming and video gaming since early in its debut. Many popular programs have been created in hopes of making these desired applications incredibly easy. Vilaros, a third party company who sells Raspberry Pi "kits" includes "New out of Box Software", or N.O.O.B.S. with detailed instructions on how to set up your own personal media streaming device similar to a Roku box or Apple TV (less than half the price of a Roku and about 1/4th the price of Apple TV). For gaming, there are several third party companies that distribute open source software like Rasbian or Emulation Station that allow emulation of many different types of games from many private based writers or even copies of games from your favorite consoles (this most often times is illegally distributed or is illegal to run on a non-distributed system).
Conclusion:
Regardless of how people use their Raspberry Pi, emulation, gaming, as a micro controller, or even as a Pocket PC. This device and others like it are revolutionizing many areas within computer based technology, including teaching others how to program and create their own computers. It's clear that these computers will continue to revolutionize within their own sphere and affect many different sectors of technology as time goes on. With its ease of use and tangible (reachable) interface, it can make the most computer illiterate into a formidable programmer if the person is willing. For more information or to order a Raspberry Pi for yourself visit www.raspberrypi.org
What is the Raspberry Pi?:
The Raspberry Pi is a tiny computer no bigger than the size of a drivers license. It was originally created to help people to learn how to program. Although it is smaller than the average desktop computer, the Raspberry Pi has relatively high processing power and can run many different programs, including Rasbian, Linux, and Windows 10. This small computer is often used in projects that require some kind of interface to run mechanical or electrical components. The use case for the Raspberry Pi is somewhat similar to an Arduino Micro Controller. The Raspberry Pi is capable of doing almost anything a basic computer could do, such as word processing, browsing the internet, and streaming high definition video. It also contains many fun programming games designed to teach even the most computer illiterate how to program computers. Not only is this computer versatile and powerful, it's inexpensive. Each model of the computer is $40 or less, with the least expensive model, the Pi Zero, being only $5. The Raspberry Pi is also currently the best selling PC in the United Kingdom.The Raspberry Pi Foundation was created to get more people interested in computer science at the University of Cambridge, due to the lack of incoming students in the program. Several Cambridge faculty members at the time, including Elon Upton (one of the Founders of Raspberry Pi Trading and CEO), became the founders of this program. It was eventually classified as a charity in 2009. The goal was to make an affordable computer, and by doing so, make learning programming more accessible for newcomers. The Raspberry Pi is used widely in primary and secondary education throughout Europe, and it is beginning to be used more prevalently in other countries, including the United States of America. Many primary education centers are utilizing the Raspberry Pi to help children learn basic programming (i.e., Python) as early as first or second grade.
Official Web Site www.raspberrypi.org
Raspberry Pi Evolution:
The current available Raspberry Pi models available for purchase as of right now are listed below in order of their creation:Raspberry Pi 1 Model A, A+, B, B+: US$24.95 (4)
This model (pictured below) was the first ever Raspberry Pi and was released in February of 2012.Features:
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B: US$39.95 (4)
The Raspberry Pi 2 was released in February 2015.Features:
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: US$35 (4)
This is the strongest and most recent model of the Raspberry Pi full sized systems and was released in February 2016 just one year after the Pi 2.Features:
Raspberry Pi Zero: US$5 (4)
This is the smallest of the Raspberry Pi models.
The Pi Zero was released in February 2015, alongside the Pi 2, and is about 1/4th the size of its regularly-sized Raspberry Pi counterparts. In order to achieve the smaller size and lower price, the designers had to eliminate the HDMI port and reduce the processor's speed, but it is still capable--containing all the features of the original Pi 1, with an upgraded CPU.
Use in Today's Technology:
Manufacturing:
Many automated systems use what is called a controller to run their operations; these controllers can cost hundreds to even thousands of dollars. Smaller, customizable computers and controllers have been lacking in the manufacturing industry for a very long time. Now, with microcomputers like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino micro controller, companies in manufacturing that use or manufacture automated systems can save thousands upon thousands by swapping out expensive, uniform controllers for these powerful microcomputers.
Gaming and Media Retrieval:
Many people that have purchased a Raspberry Pi microcomputer have used it for applications like media streaming and video gaming since early in its debut. Many popular programs have been created in hopes of making these desired applications incredibly easy. Vilaros, a third party company who sells Raspberry Pi "kits" includes "New out of Box Software", or N.O.O.B.S. with detailed instructions on how to set up your own personal media streaming device similar to a Roku box or Apple TV (less than half the price of a Roku and about 1/4th the price of Apple TV). For gaming, there are several third party companies that distribute open source software like Rasbian or Emulation Station that allow emulation of many different types of games from many private based writers or even copies of games from your favorite consoles (this most often times is illegally distributed or is illegal to run on a non-distributed system).
Conclusion:
Regardless of how people use their Raspberry Pi, emulation, gaming, as a micro controller, or even as a Pocket PC. This device and others like it are revolutionizing many areas within computer based technology, including teaching others how to program and create their own computers. It's clear that these computers will continue to revolutionize within their own sphere and affect many different sectors of technology as time goes on. With its ease of use and tangible (reachable) interface, it can make the most computer illiterate into a formidable programmer if the person is willing. For more information or to order a Raspberry Pi for yourself visit www.raspberrypi.org
Information Sources:
1: www.RasberryPi.org2: www.vilaros.com
3: www.emulationstation.com
4: www.adafruit.com