Raspberry Pi Zero - £4/$5
 

Raspberry Pi Zero launched: A full-fledged computer at $5

Andrew Griffin | The Independent | Nov 27, 2015, 11.02 AM IST

Raspberry Pi has released a new device, an even cheaper version of the best-selling British computer ever made. The Raspberry Pi Zero is just 3cm wide, but packs in everything that's needed for full-fledged computing tasks.

The new computer costs £4 in the UK and $5 in the US. But it can be made so cheaply that the company is also giving it away with its £5.99 magazine, MagPi, which is in stores in the UK now.........

The new, tiny computer includes many of the far from insubstantial components that allow it to run advanced programs. That includes 512MB of Ram, a 1GHz processor, and sockets that allow for it to be connected to a HD TV, a memory card and a USB slot........

While the new Raspberry Pi Zero has the same technical performance as a leading edge computer a decade before, it does lack a case, display, keyboard, camera, power supply, mouse and storage memory. All of these are available at extra cost, naturally.

Depending on how much value you put on your time, the several hours involved in just getting this device set up and running even a basic task could swing the balance in favour of a cheap laptop from PC World. (Other retailers are available :) )

A technological miracle of miniaturisation, but you get what you pay for.

Not all computers need mice, keyboards, cameras or displays. It's not supposed to be some kind of desktop replacement.

If you subscribe to Magpi magazine, the Pi Zero is free this month.