Watered Down Pi?

[greatbear302]

Once you have a proof of concept device ready, is it possible to order (in bulk possibly?) watered down Pi's? For instance let's say the project does not need any of Ethernet, HDMI, camera, USB, audio.

[texy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yes, it is possible in some configurations, see this service from Element14 :
http://www.element14.com/community/docs ... on-service

Texy

[DougieLawson]

That Element14 service has a minimum of 3000 units and they're going to cost more than the price of a regular RPi because its a custom build. So that's a minimum cost of around £90,000+VAT.

[RaTTuS]

or use a PIzero

[fruitoftheloom]

Once you have a proof of concept device ready, is it possible to order (in bulk possibly?) watered down Pi's? For instance let's say the project does not need any of Ethernet, HDMI, camera, USB, audio.

....maybe use a Compute Module in a Custom Base Board

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processor ... ts/8134164

http://www.element14.com/community/comm ... ute-module


This is an example of what can be achieved with the Compute Module:

http://store.wdc.com/store/wdus/en_US/D ... spberry_Pi

[texy]

That Element14 service has a minimum of 3000 units and they're going to cost more than the price of a regular RPi because its a custom build. So that's a minimum cost of around £90,000+VAT.

Indeed, although questions about cost were not asked....


Texy

[greatbear302]

Really appreciate everyone's responses. I did not know about the compute module. And sorry did not mention earlier, cost is the main reason for my post.

I read this blog post on compute module: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspbe ... w-product/

@fruitoftheloom Yes, the compute module is definitely the kind of Pi version I was looking for. But then there isn't much price difference: $30 for compute module, and $35 for Pi 2 model B. Or am I not understanding the price model correctly?

@RaTTuS Pi Zero still has all the other add-ons (in smaller form factor) not needed in the project. But yes, cost is considerably low than Pi 2 model B.

So basically why isn't there a Pi version for the cost of Pi zero and configuration of compute module?

[mikronauts]

Basically due to development / marketing / inventory costs.

The Pi Foundation makes only the models that make sense to it, for its purposes.

Pi A/B - original versions, now obsolete

Pi A+/B+ - newer, 40 pin replacements

Pi Compute module - meant for embedding into customer designs

Pi 2B - the king of the hill, there will likely be a Pi 2A at some point (see Eben's video at introduction)

Pi Zero - extreme cost reduced version, will likely be used for embedded projects by most people

Predictions for 2016:

- Pi 2 A - quad core version of A+

- CM 2 - quad core version of CM

- A++ 512MB/1GHz - zero's capabilities in A+ form factor

- Pi One - quad core version of zero

Prediction for 2017:

- Pi 3

Really appreciate everyone's responses. I did not know about the compute module. And sorry did not mention earlier, cost is the main reason for my post.

I read this blog post on compute module: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspbe ... w-product/

@fruitoftheloom Yes, the compute module is definitely the kind of Pi version I was looking for. But then there isn't much price difference: $30 for compute module, and $35 for Pi 2 model B. Or am I not understanding the price model correctly?

@RaTTuS Pi Zero still has all the other add-ons (in smaller form factor) not needed in the project. But yes, cost is considerably low than Pi 2 model B.

So basically why isn't there a Pi version for the cost of Pi zero and configuration of compute module?

[BMS Doug]

Really appreciate everyone's responses. I did not know about the compute module. And sorry did not mention earlier, cost is the main reason for my post.

I read this blog post on compute module: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspbe ... w-product/

@fruitoftheloom Yes, the compute module is definitely the kind of Pi version I was looking for. But then there isn't much price difference: $30 for compute module, and $35 for Pi 2 model B. Or am I not understanding the price model correctly?

@RaTTuS Pi Zero still has all the other add-ons (in smaller form factor) not needed in the project. But yes, cost is considerably low than Pi 2 model B.

So basically why isn't there a Pi version for the cost of Pi zero and configuration of compute module?

The compute module is now only £17.97 at RS.

The Pi zero cost is so low because it is very stripped back, pathing all the GPIO that the compute module makes available adds extra levels of complexity, which adds size, which adds cost.

The Foundation can't make a model of Pi for every individual's specific use case, so you have to choose from what they have made available.

Pi0 is probably best for you (but you won't be able to get them in quantity for a long time yet), The compute module is pretty cheap and available in bulk (RS has > 6000 in stock).

[QuietZone]

Wouldn't it be great if the Pi Foundation was like a restaurant?

You could just walk in, grab a menu, mark which features you want, and walk out with a meal prepared to order...

All for just a few bucks.

[fruitoftheloom]

Really appreciate everyone's responses. I did not know about the compute module. And sorry did not mention earlier, cost is the main reason for my post.

I read this blog post on compute module: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspbe ... w-product/

@fruitoftheloom Yes, the compute module is definitely the kind of Pi version I was looking for. But then there isn't much price difference: $30 for compute module, and $35 for Pi 2 model B. Or am I not understanding the price model correctly?

@RaTTuS Pi Zero still has all the other add-ons (in smaller form factor) not needed in the project. But yes, cost is considerably low than Pi 2 model B.

So basically why isn't there a Pi version for the cost of Pi zero and configuration of compute module?

As stated a Compute Module is under £20.00 and you can have manufactured a base board for the CM to plug in therefore it gives the freedom for designing a product to suit your requirements and size etcetera....

The Kit I linked to is for development, but if you have already developed on another RPi Model you will not need this...

[DougieLawson]

Wouldn't it be great if the Pi Foundation was like a restaurant?

You could just walk in, grab a menu, mark which features you want, and walk out with a meal prepared to order...

All for just a few bucks.

You can do that but you have to buy dinner for at least 2999 friends.

[stderr]

Wouldn't it be great if the Pi Foundation was like a restaurant?
You could just walk in, grab a menu, mark which features you want, and walk out with a meal prepared to order...
All for just a few bucks.

The subject line, Watered Down Pi, lead me to believe that it was more the evening meal for the extended family of Charlie Bucket living next to the chocolate factory, although if I remember correctly it was more usually a thin soup made from a slice of cabbage swished around it in and saved for the next day.