model A ordering

[kerifue]

Hi everyone.
I can't wait to get my hands on a Model_A, but only Model_B seems to be available on the sites mentioned in the FAQ. "Where is" /"When will be" the model_A available ?
Thanks !
Also: Aren't any other payment methods and/or resellers planned? Ordering from eastern europe seems kind of uncertain.
Thanks !

[jamesh]

The Model A will be released before the end of the year.

There are two distributors, RS and Farnell (or their subsidiaries), and that 's not likely to change in the near future. As to payment methods, you are limited to what the distributors currently allow.

[wallarug]

Do you have a more accurate time frame? Before Christmas?

[jamesh]

Before Xmas is the plan AFAIK.

[rew]

If you pay for the 'pi and postage, I'm willing to try to transform YOUR pi into a model A.

I'll do some current measurements before sending it off to you. But I'm not going to ruin my own pi, because I usually DO use the ethernet connection.

[wallarug]

If you pay for the 'pi and postage, I'm willing to try to transform YOUR pi into a model A.

I'll do some current measurements before sending it off to you. But I'm not going to ruin my own pi, because I usually DO use the ethernet connection.

Who are you talking two?

[teeth_03]

Modding a B into an A is just silly, you already paid for the 2nd USB and Ethernet, so why not just keep them?

[wallarug]

Modding a B into an A is just silly, you already paid for the 2nd USB and Ethernet, so why not just keep them?

Also, Modding a B into an A is a lot of work. If you wanted a true model A then you would have to remove the USB control chip as well as the duel USB hub, Ethernet and other mounted bits and pieces. Just wait till "Before Christmas" (were not sure which Christmas) when the foundation announces the Model A and start to ship them. (Probably about three months later )

[Burngate]

Modding a B into an A is just silly, you already paid for the 2nd USB and Ethernet, so why not just keep them?

Also, Modding a B into an A is a lot of work. If you wanted a true model A then you would have to remove the USB control chip as well as the duel USB hub, Ethernet and other mounted bits and pieces. Just wait till "Before Christmas" (were not sure which Christmas) when the foundation announces the Model A and start to ship them. (Probably about three months later )

Actually not quite that silly.

I wanted to know (among other things) if the stuttering keyboard problem would go away with the chip removed.
It does.

Okay things have moved along on that front, but if you want to be sure your software or hardware really does what it should on an A, then you need a real A to try it on.

[pygmy_giant]

I've only managed to get away without haveing an ethernet connection as I have a USB mobile broadband dongle to update with, so if someone transformed my Model B into a Model A with only one USB socket and no ethernet, I would probably back power the pi thrugh a powered USB hub into which I plug my mouse, keyboard and dongle (power hungry dongles need a powered hub).

Is this how the foundation envisages a class of 20 kids using a model A - each with a hub and perhaps wifi dongle if needed?

I anticipate that there would be no need for a network connection most of the time so the hub need not be powered and the pis could share one dongle + powered hub when regular updating happens?

I guess that the reduction in cost would be worthwhile from an educational perspective if the money saved adds up to enough to buy an extra Pi per class?

Just trying to get my head around the reasoning behind a cut down model of an already cheap and minimal spec machine...

[hunterslick]

what is the cost of the pi a edition,,went on ebay and they are asking 50 euro for the b model,,,i can get a pc for that,,seems ridiculous,,im not slagging the pi,,it seems a great thing to teach the kids (and myself tbh ) but that seems wrong

[plugwash]

The Pi model A has a nominal price of $25 but that is before shipping/handling/tax. What the final price inclduing all of that crap will be will be remains to be seen and will of course vary by where you are but i'd guess the UK single unit all in price will be somewhere arround £22. Mainland europe it will probablly be slightly more.

BTW ebay prices are marked up, it's cheaper to buy direct from farnell.

[wallarug]

The Pi model A has a nominal price of $25 but that is before shipping/handling/tax. What the final price inclduing all of that crap will be will be remains to be seen and will of course vary by where you are but i'd guess the UK single unit all in price will be somewhere arround £22. Mainland europe it will probablly be slightly more.

BTW ebay prices are marked up, it's cheaper to buy direct from farnell.

Model A would cost about $30 AUD incl. Currency exchange and GST (Local Tax)

[wallarug]

Can someone please release some pictures of the Model A (A real one - not a mod)?

[W. H. Heydt]

Can someone please release some pictures of the Model A (A real one - not a mod)?

Depends on what you mean by "real". Eben gave an interview some time back and had a Model "A" with him, which was shown in the clip.

(And...Inquiring minds want to know...Will there be Model "T"? Will one be able to get it any color one wants, so long as it is black?)

[wallarug]

Can someone please release some pictures of the Model A (A real one - not a mod)?

Depends on what you mean by "real". Eben gave an interview some time back and had a Model "A" with him, which was shown in the clip.

(And...Inquiring minds want to know...Will there be Model "T"? Will one be able to get it any color one wants, so long as it is black?)

By Real I mean one that is not a modified Model B.

I have not heard anything about a Model T? Different Colours? Why not have different coloured cases?

[plugwash]

Depends on what you mean by "real". Eben gave an interview some time back and had a Model "A" with him, which was shown in the clip.

Fairly sure that was a modded B, IIRC the USB socket was still the double one and the position for the USB hub with ethernet chip looked to me like it had had a chip fitted and then removed.

I have not heard anything about a Model T? Different Colours? Why not have different coloured cases?

It was clearly a joke reffering to ford.

[W. H. Heydt]

(And...Inquiring minds want to know...Will there be Model "T"? Will one be able to get it any color one wants, so long as it is black?)

I have not heard anything about a Model T? Different Colours? Why not have different coloured cases?

As plugwash noted, it's a reference to the first really affordable mass market automobile...the Ford Model "T", produced from 1908 to 1927. Ford was famously--but I don't know if correctly--quoted as saying that you could have one in any color you wanted, so long as it was black (Model Ts were only made in black). The following car to the Model T...was the Model A.

FYI..15 million Model Ts were manufactured, making it wildly successful for that time.

[jamesh]

The assembly line is an interesting subject whilst we are on the subject of the Model T.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_line

[teeth_03]

Will we know when the As are starting to get produced, or will we have just an announcement when they are ready to order.

I have a B, but would like an A for kicks...

[wallarug]

Will we know when the As are starting to get produced, or will we have just an announcement when they are ready to order.

I have a B, but would like an A for kicks...

Same, except I want it for a low powered robot.

[Thompsan]

Will we know when the As are starting to get produced, or will we have just an announcement when they are ready to order.

I have a B, but would like an A for kicks...

Same, except I want it for a low powered robot.

+1

I have intentions to acquire an RPi for use in low-power robotic systems and would like to know if the higher power consumption of the Model B is only due to the presence of the Ethernet plus USB-Hub.

Are the models equivalent in terms of watt drain when not using Ethernet nor USB?

[mahjongg]

I have intentions to acquire an RPi for use in low-power robotic systems and would like to know if the higher power consumption of the Model B is only due to the presence of the Ethernet plus USB-Hub.

Yes, the only difference between the model B and the model A is the presence of the LAN9512 chip, and its supporting hardware. that and a few zero ohm resistor to directly connect the SoC's USB data lines D+ and D- to the USB connector, and obviously a single USB connector mounted in the position now occupied by the double-decker connector.

Are the models equivalent in terms of watt drain when not using Ethernet nor USB?

No, because even if you do not use neither Ethernet nor USB the LAN 9512 is still consuming about the same amount of energy.

[abishur]

It should be noted that some people (some very, very small amount of people) have been brave enough / had the ability to remove the LAN9512 chip altogether. If waiting for the model A isn't an option, then perhaps removing the chip is an option?

[toxibunny]

In my eyes, the biggest draw for model A is the price. What is it, 16 quid/20 euros? At that price, it's below the level at which import duties apply, and really does get down to 'beer money' levels... And at that point, it goes from buying one raspberry pi 'to play with' to buying one raspberry pi for each specific relevant application.

I just hope that by then, some sort of easy solution for offline updating is possible. It's alright for me, because I'd just be able to plug the SD card into my model B and do all the apt-gets from there, but for people who only have a model A, it's going to be a lot more difficult...