Raspberry pi...mini computer?

Question

Raspberry pi...mini computer?

Answer 1

https://www.robomart.com/buy-raspberry-pi-india-price : Raspberry pi in India gathers a high approach and even across India. Users usually gain information through various websites for raspberry pi projects. Basically raspberry pi is a small computer which can be easily attached to various monitoring devices. They are used for entertainment as well as domestic purposes. Every user can easily buy as they are cost effective and reliable.



Its ideal features depend upon its hardware performance, memory capacity and peripheral device support. Whereas it supports Broadcom BCM2835 system on a chip (SoC) and other processor features include 700 MHz ARM1176JZF-S processor, VideoCore IV GPU, and RAM. It has a Level 1 cache of 16 KB and a Level 2 cache of 128 KB. The Level 2 cache is used chiefly by the GPU. The SoC is stacked beneath the RAM chip, so only its border is visible.



Raspberry pi board price in India is very reasonable to all. Thus, the users can easily go through websites that deliver products and kits. Raspberry pi robot Kits when viewed carry raspberry pi components, parts and catalog for proper description and assembly. Raspberry pi other hardware consists of 256 MB of SDRAM memory which is shared with GPU, one USB port, 15 pin camera interface connector, has audio output, SD / MMC / SDIO card slot and 300 mA of power.



If we talk about its accessories, normal camera or infrared camera is used plus hardware expansion boards are attached on top. Moreover, operating system utilized here is the Linux kernel. It does not have a real time clock i.e. it can not keep track of the record of the time while system is not turned on. Real time with battery backup can be added or another alternate is that one can connect to a network time server for time reception when pi is programmed. Raspberry pi performance is a real world performance and other versions are almost similar and carry little differences.

Answer 2

One could also say, "What's the main application of an x86 board?", and while the roles are somewhat similar, there *are* enough differences to make the RPi/RPi2 stand out as interesting in their own right.



** I own 2 separate RPi2 boards, each of which I've styled into unique systems.



The first one I bought was part of a 'CanaKit complete starter kit', which included the board, a power adapter, HDMI cable, 8GB SD-Card, a chassis/case, a heat-sink, a usb-wifi-adapter, a manual, and a GPIO ping out reference card. After initially playing around with several different OS's and projects, I decided to dedicate that unit to 'RetroPie' and integrate NAS storage into it via NFS to give it nearly unlimited storage space.



The second one I bought was a bit more down-scaled because I wanted a very specific case and had everything else I needed otherwise, so I ordered a CanaKit Basic (board + DC-adapter & manual only) and a separate VESA compliant chassis for mounting the 2nd unit on the back of a 24" touch-screen. This system uses the touch-screen with 'Raspbian OS', a derivative of Debian Linux, which I've modified significantly from it's defaults to remove LXDE-desktop and replace it with Mate-desktop and my choice of apps. I used a 32GB Micro-SDXC card on this unit, preloaded with NOOBS (the RPi bootloader/installer), and used that to install Rasbian and OpenELEC both in a dual-boot configuration, so I have both of those and only require a reboot to switch between the two. I have a separate 8GB SD-Card loaded with RetroPie for the second system as well, configured identical to the other unit (the 1st one, mentioned above), which is great for days I just want to lay in bed and play classic video games because I'm too sore from my health condition to be getting up and down.... that's really convenient, even if the games I'm playing are retro rather than current... I have a pair of Xbox360s as well, so I'm not hurting for games. :) Still, I've been a gamer for nearly 35 years (I'm 42), and the RPi2 is awesome for that.



But yeah, if your question is whether it can be used as a mini-computer, the answer is yes. Though, I recommend skipping the RPi and going straight to the RPi2 (released in Feb. 2015). It's much more powerful, packing a quad-core and 1GB ram, and has a really decent GPU & soundchip onboard. If you're learning programming, or just wanting to tinker with something cool, the RPi2 is awesome either way.

Answer 3

There is none. They are being used to do all sorts of things. There are several online groups that can handle that for you, though I don't have a URL in mind right now. You may try BING fora listing. I get Techrepublic and Kim Komando's news letters and they quite often have news about that computer.

Answer 4

There are several (actually, many) ways to use your Pi.

1. Attach a keyboard and display, connect the Ethernet port to your router with an Ethernet cable,, make a bootable SD card (I recommend NOOBS for your first one http://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads) then use it like any other computer (websurfing, email, games, etc)

2. (Better) Learn some electronics so you can drive the GPIO pins (best feature of the Pi, one which other computers do not have) and control lights and motors, read sensors and GPS, control robots etc

3. (Best) Build a space-going teddy bear and beat Felix Baumgartner's sky dive http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/ted-bull-stratos-raspberry-pi-controlled-teddy-bear-babbage-beats-felix-baumgartners-skydiving-record-8785687.html



Scroll through the Raspberry Pi Foundation's blog to find more suggestions (arcade machine, time-lapse photography. cat-flap controller, beerbrewing controller, etc etc etc) http://www.raspberrypi.org/

Source(s):

I have a Pi and use it as a rocket range safety controller. Just bought a second Pi to use as a webserver for a very small app. Or you could build your own digital TV recorder. Or a camera controller for time-lapse photography, or ....