Want a sneaky peek at a Model A?

[liz]

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2189885/ ... nits-video

Eben did this video interview yesterday - and I'm not sure off the top of my head, but I believe this is the first time we've shown a Model A to cameras. Enjoy!

yeah just watched it ....
\o/
much stronger SD card adapter

The SD card slot looks a bit improved.

[liz]

The SD card slot looks a bit improved.

That's not a production model; it's one of the Foundation's test models, and we happened to have a reel of very expensive SD slots left over from the run of beta boards at the end of last year. I won't swear to it, but I *believe* we'll still be using the friction mounts in the production boards.

There seems to be something shiny where the 9512 shouldn't be!
Wish they'd done a bcu so we could have a better look

Nice to see the model A, would really like to own one, right now The bit that caught my eye the most was how many pi orders have been made, 350,000 pi on order by april, those are some mighty impressive figures Liz, the foundation must be very happy to see those kinds of numbers, a very nice jump off point for the edu release.

Liz, Please review the decision to continue to use the friction sd card mounts. I am as nice as pi to mine but its not going to last 12 months without breaking.

[liz]

Very unlikely, I'm afraid - it all comes down to BOM cost, and those parts are surprisingly expensive.

The economics of using the cheaper component might be less compelling when faulty returns start happening. I,m sure school uses will find them not so durable .
Any prospect of allowing comunity members to get one of your spares to a suitable donation?

I think the title of the report impresses me the most! A million units!

There seems to be something shiny where the 9512 shouldn't be!
Wish they'd done a bcu so we could have a better look

I didn't look at the video, but that's probably where the ground pad for the LAN9512 is soldered. It has a nice big ground pad to conduct heat into the PC board.

The ones going into schools will be in cases won't they? So that will provide support and strength to the SD card socket, or at least it should.

The SD card slot looks a bit improved.

That's not a production model; it's one of the Foundation's test models...

I guess that also explains why it's still using a double-height USB socket, when the USB hub chip isn't present

The SD card slot looks a bit improved.

That's not a production model; it's one of the Foundation's test models...

I guess that also explains why it's still using a double-height USB socket, when the USB hub chip isn't present

This actually brings up a good question. For the production Model A, will the USB port feet be in the "right" place? (i.e. not causing the USB ports to be halfway off the board)

[mahjongg]

Another question is whether the USB port will be able to power an unpowered hub? (sorry if I seem to be always drumming on the same drum)

As I see it a PI with only one USB port has three ways to support both a keyboard and a mouse.

• It uses a bluetooth adapter to communicate with a wireless keyboard and mouse combo
• It uses an unpowered hub, to split the USB port in two
• It uses a keyboard with a built in hub for a mouse, or it does the same, for a built in trackpad.

The first solution would normally work on one of the current USB ports, but the second and third will not!

I think that the trip value of the polyfyse should be increased to a value with a standard internal resistance comparable to the input polyfuse (F1), so that and external unpowered hub, and keyboards with such hubs, get the full 5V +- 5%.

Also, due to a lack of the LAN9512, there is also no mechanism in place anymore to detect burned out fuses (the PRCTRL signals), but who cares!

This actually brings up a good question. For the production Model A, will the USB port feet be in the "right" place? (i.e. not causing the USB ports to be halfway off the board)

I assume that the type of double height USB port chosen, will also support a single USB port connector in the same position, this means the single USB connector will be in the same position, and will "Stick out just as much" as the Model-B's. I guess the enclose for a model-A has to change anyway, as the USB port is single height, and there is no Ethernet connector anymore.

From the changes that @godFather89 is making it appears the A model may just what the Motorola Lapdock needs! The Lapdock has keyboard mouse pad and a two port hub built in plus a decent HDMI screen and speakers from HDMI.

It would be nice if the polyfuse were increased since there is only one port to power. My guess is it will remain at 140ma as that is a part that is already sourced for the Model B.