So help me out here: What am I not seeing about the attraction to
Raspberry Pi?
Why isn't the world just as excited about spending just an extra few
bucks to get a more useful x86 system?
I can think of a few reasons / answers. Even if each one is only a
partial explanation, it all adds up ... see later for "intermediate" answer.
But I expect the shortest answer is .... the world isn't within Newegg's
delivery area. Outwith the US, you have to struggle a lot harder to find
stuff like this at the right price, delivery, support, etc.
I cannot find the cheapest of these systems in the UK (in 15 minutes of
googling). If I search around for similar systems, all I find is more
powerful barebones systems, at $270 upwards (that includes a disk, and
all that extra power, so it's a much better system - but it's in a
different price bracket). It may just be my lack of familiarity with
buying hardware/linux, but I can find a Pi very easily, and I can find
assured components to go with it from well-known suppliers with enough
info to realistically expect that I will not be wasting time/ money
buying the wrong add-ons.
I would (in fact, I have) spent £30 on a Pi just on a whim to play with
it. I won't spend £200 unless I have much more serious interest.
Intermediate version:
1. Not quite a fair comparison - the other systems you've mentioned are
without memory (at least, I think they are), so you need to allow for that.
2. The Pi runs happily with 512M - but does an Intel based one need more
memory ? Mr Google says yes probably, so we'd better allow for 1G. Hmmm
Newegg only says it uses DDR3 1066 memory - and Mr. G says that comes in
a variety of form factors, speeds and other variants. Wonder which I need.
3. The Pi needs only a small, cheap power supply - not clear from Newegg
what kind of PS (if any) the VX900 needs.
4. The Pi can run happily from an 8G SD - not sure what the VX900 needs
(or even, can use). Most of these type of systems seem to assume you
need a disk - so that means $50 extra (and makes silent / fanless more
difficult).
So I know I can get a working Pi for $49 + power supply ($10) + SD card
($8).
And I know I have to research what the VX needs :-(
-- Alex.
P.S. I'd be absolutely *delighted* to hear from someone in the UK
telling me I'm all wrong, and that I can go to xyz.co.uk and order a
complete set of parts that I can be sure will work together for the kind
of system Richard is describing for £80 or less (£80 is about my "toy on
a whim" limit :-)
On 31/08/2013 18:01, Richard Gaskin wrote:
I like the idea of a cheap computer, but it seems the LiveCode build
for Linux/ARM needed to run on the Raspberry Pi is still only in its
early stage - here's a blog entry that includes a link to download a
test build if you're feeling adventurous:
<http://livecode.com/blog/2013/02/20/livecode-on-raspberry-pi/>
But the long wait for that LiveCode/ARM build has given me time to
ponder: What exactly is the advantage of a Raspberry Pi over other
motherboards that have onboard CPUs?
After all, the Pi isn't a computer per se, just a mobo; you still need
to add a power supply, case, and SD card to become a usable system,
just like any other mobo. And you need to download and install Linux.
But most of the other mobos available have Via or Atom processors, so
while they're not as energy-efficient as the older ARM chips the Pi
uses, they're still reasonably efficient and MUCH more powerful.
And best of all, they can be used with LiveCode right now, server and
desktop.
For example, the Raspberry Pi Model B sells in the US for $49 at
NewEgg, but a Via mobo with an x86 VX900 CPU is just $59, and for $69
you can get one with an Intel Atom 2550 loaded with ports:
<http://www.newegg.com/Embedded-Solution/SubCategory/ID-446?Order=PRICE>
And if you want a case and power supply included with an Atom-powered
system, small-form-factor barebones nettops are available as low as $129:
<http://www.newegg.com/Mini-Booksize-Barebone-Systems/SubCategory/ID-309?Order=PRICE>
While the Pi's modest power makes it difficult to use many Linux
distros on, most x86 mobos will generally run even Ubuntu's Unity
interface gracefully.
And we can run LiveCode on them today.
So help me out here: What am I not seeing about the attraction to
Raspberry Pi?
Why isn't the world just as excited about spending just an extra few
bucks to get a more useful x86 system?
--
Richard Gaskin
Fourth World
LiveCode training and consulting: http://www.fourthworld.com
Webzine for LiveCode developers: http://www.LiveCodeJournal.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FourthWorldSys
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