ARM11 Linux educational computer aims for $25 pricetag

By Eric Brown
2011-05-06

Article Rating:

/ 11

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

U.K. games developer David Braben has launched an OLPC-like foundation called Raspberry Pi, hoping to sell a tiny ARM/Linux computer aimed at K12 computer education for as little as $25. Braben demonstrated a single board computer (SBC) prototype running Ubuntu 9.04 on a 700MHz, OpenGL-enabled ARM11 processor with 128MB SDRAM, HDMI, USB, and SD connectivity, supporting 1080p video.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has designed its $25 Linux computer prototype as a flexible platform for computer education in both the developing and developed worlds. The foundation, said to be registered as a U.K. charity, plans to develop, manufacture, and distribute the USB-key sized computer within the next 12 months.

Raspberry Pi prototype with 12-megapixel camera option on top
(Click to enlarge)

The project was originally reported by BBC News, which received a demonstration of the device by project lead and well-known gaming developer David Braben (Rollercoaster Tycoon, etc.). Braben also released a video demonstration of the device on YouTube (see farther below). The video doesn't actually show the device running, but the BBC report suggests it performed as advertised.

The computer has a USB port on one end and an HDMI port on the other to connect a keyboard and display, respectively. The device will also support touchscreens to create a tablet device, says the foundation. The Ubuntu 9.04-based device lacks Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but web connections can presumably be made via the USB port, with the help of a USB hub.

Raspberry Pi prototype bringing up the web, apparently with the help of a USB hub
(Click to enlarge)

Accroding to the Raspberry Pi website, provisional specs for the prototype include:

Processor -- 700MHz ARM11 with OpenGL ES 2.0
Memory -- 128MB SDRAM
Memory expansion -- SD/MMC/SDIO slot
Display:
- 1080p30 H.264 high-profile decode
- composite output
- HDMI output
I/O -- USB 2.0; GPIO
Software -- Ubuntu 9.04, Iceweasel, KOffice, Python

The processor was not listed, perhaps because it may change by ship date. One possibility could be the 800MHz Telechips TTC8902 ARM11 processor, which has a video digital signal processor (DSP) and Open GL ES 2.0 3D graphics acceleration. (This processor is found in a number of low-cost Linux and Android tablets, such as the Coby Electronics Kyros.)

The goal of Raspberry Pi is to encourage direct hands-on experimentation in computer education, something missing from most current curricula, says Braben. In this, as well as its charitable foundation, the project appears to imitate the U.S.-based One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation. Although the XO tablets OLPC is seeding throughout the world are general-purpose educational devices, their Linux-based Sugar operating system and related apps have a K12 computing curriculum focus, encouraging hands-on experimentation and creativity.

David Braben showing off computer at BBC News

While OLPC is still struggling to achieve its original goal of selling its netbook to emerging-nation educational systems at $100 a pop -- it might finally achieve this price with an upcoming Marvell Armada based "Moby" tablet version of the XO -- Raspberry Pi is aiming much cheaper.

The $25 price may be possible because the device is not only missing a keyboard -- like the upcoming XO-3 and the still vaporish $35 tablet being developed by the Indian government -- but also omits the display. Still, one would assume that a considerable degree of charitable subsidization might be necessary to push out a $25 ARM11 computer with this device's HD-ready ARM11 processor and other extras.

Last year, for example, the open platform Hawkboard SBC went on sale for $89, with an ARM9-based, DSP-enabled Texas Instruments OMAP-L138. A Cherrypal Asia netbook with an ARM9-based Via VT 8505 processor clocked at 533MHz is available for $99, and $99 Android tablets have appeared such as the Maylong M-150.

Raspberry Pi prototype demonstrated by David Braben on YouTube
Source: Raspberry Pi Foundation; BBC News
(Click to play)

Availability

The Raspberry Pi computer is expected to ship within 12 months for a price of $25. More information may be found at the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The company is looking for open source educational projects that would like to collaborate with the project.

Related Stories:

	Discuss ARM11 Linux educational computer aims for $25 pricetag

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Eric Brown

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.