News - Raspberry Pi announcement and likely release tomorrow

[circuitmonkey]

Grrr, sounds like further delays

Manufacturing problems will mean the first batches of the £22 ($35) Raspberry Pi computer are being delayed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17311146

[Grey M@a]

Now had a third email from RS stating thanks for interest will be in touch soon.

Dear Customer
Thank you for joining the Raspberry Pi revolution and registering your interest in Raspberry Pi’s Model B board from RS Components.
We have received extraordinary levels of demand for this product. To help ensure as many people as possible can experience the Raspberry Pi concept, we are initially limiting boards to one per customer, and we will send you regular updates on availability. As boards arrive into stock, they will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis, in order of when requests were received.

Thank you for your patience; we will be in touch as soon as possible with more details.


RS Components

[watercooled]

http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/826

[miniyazz]

http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/826

So.. despite being a UK company, RS Components are charging the same to deliver to the UK as they are to deliver to Nigeria and any other far-flung places? Really?

[kopite]

It`s a good gesture for other countries but I agree it sucks for us.

SHould be cheaper postage for uk and then flat rate for rest of world at least imo

[mikerr]

Actually due to royal mail's size based postage (Pricing in Proportion) not applying for overseas mail,
its often cheaper to send parcels to EU contries like Germany than it is to UK addresses.

Compare 1st or second class packet post with air mail small packets...

That said, the Pi is still dirt cheap - 1/4 price of similar products,

They meant to create a cheap education device, but instead have created a cheap media player (and the demand to go with it)

[watercooled]

Maybe it will be different if/when manufacturing moves here?

[mikerr]

Maybe it will be different if/when manufacturing moves here?

I can't help thinking the recent problem with incorrect ethernet sockets being fitted was a direct result of using cheap chinese manufacture
(its not uncommon for them to substitute cheaper low spec parts "by accident" IME).

[watercooled]

Hopefully something gets done about that pathetic tax issue here in UK, so it would be more reasonable to MFR here. The claimed increase in minimum wage in China might help too, hopefully...

[Raz316]

I'm gonna buy one eventually, and with it, I hope to make a car computer for music

[watercooled]

I wonder if we can compile Handbrake for it?

[kopite]

Hopefully something gets done about that pathetic tax issue here in UK, so it would be more reasonable to MFR here. The claimed increase in minimum wage in China might help too, hopefully...

Its sad that a UK based charity who wanted to do it all british had to manufacture in china.

I read that for it to be built in the uk they would have had a much longer manufacture time and the profits would have been non existent hence the reason China was a better option.

The GOverment need to look at things like this and realise that making some tax breaks etc could be really benefical for things like this

[mikerr]

Its sad that a UK based charity who wanted to do it all british had to manufacture in china.

I read that for it to be built in the uk they would have had a much longer manufacture time and the profits would have been non existent hence the reason China was a better option.

Well they could have raised the price slightly and kept it British. It would still be cheap at double the price, and a higher price might stave off the hoards who just want it as a cheap media player.

[Grey M@a]

New update from RS Components:

Hello to all our Raspberry Pi followers - UPDATE ALERT!
Firstly, we are very grateful for all the patience you have shown as we deal with the tremendous interest in the Raspberry Pi - it has been phenomenal and it is fantastic that there is so much enthusiasm for it out there.
We know how keen you all are to get your hands on the product and get programming, however Raspberry Pi has made us aware of a ‘manufacturing hiccup’ with the initial batch that came to light following additional testing. Fortunately the problem is only minor and Raspberry Pi is working to correct it. A full explanation can be found on the Raspberry Pi website We’re continuing to work closely with the Raspberry Pi foundation to minimise any delay in getting the Raspberry Pi to you and hope that you will bear with us a little longer. We’ll keep updating our FAQs to give you information as we receive it.
A lot of you have also asked about how we are managing our queue, and when you’ll be invited to place your order for a Raspberry Pi. We’re going to be receiving the boards in batches, so as we receive confirmation that the batches are ready, we’ll be inviting people in on a first-come, first served basis, from time of original registration, to place orders on our new Raspberry Pi online store. The invitations will be sent to groups that match the number of boards we have available, to ensure that if you place an order, we’re able to take it and tell you when we can ship your Raspberry Pi.
Thanks again for your patience, and we’ll be in touch again next week for a further update.

RS Components Ltd

[watercooled]

Some info about a custom case for the board: http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/03/3d-...berry-pi-soon/

[kopite]

Look what I have