[sudo-discuss] rPis >$ Thinkpads

[rusty lindgren]

Well, the rPi foundation designed that computer to make a low cost,
low-power alternative for computer science students, but it is a pretty
sweet computer for other purposes.  Depends on what you mean by "it's meant
to do this or that."

In this case, I've been hearing people(quite a few actually) talk about
using the rpis as desktop replacements for teaching at-risk youth and
adults, but this discussion will probably come up again.

Actually, the real cost is in the monitor, and if we could figure out how
to plug an rpi into a laptop monitor, and build a simple case, we'd have a
recipe for a pretty sweet machine that can do all kinds of things. and it
would have a pretty unholy battery life.

-Rusty



On Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 2:16 PM, Andrew <andrew at roshambomedia.com> wrote:

> Laptops can't open doors. Raspis are supposed to be for single use, like
> set it and forget it, not a laptop replacement. In addition, laptops don't
> have GPIO pins. so you'd have to add $30 to the price to add on an Arduino
> for that. Rarely are you supposed to need a monitor for your Raspi.
>
> I have the agree with the comments on this arrticle, The article is
> written by someone who really doesn't understand why someone would want to
> buy a raspi, (hint, it's not for desktop replacement).
>
> --Andrew
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 1:49 PM, rusty lindgren <rustylindgren at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> + monitor though... thinkpads can be had with an hd monitor, and you
>> don't have to lug a monitor around.
>>
>> Otherwise, I agree... I think just in terms of scalaing for use in the
>> space.
>>
>> -Rusty
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 1:38 PM, Hol Gaskill <hol at gaskill.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I agree that the RPi is not all it's cracked up to be, especially with
>>> beagleboard black coming out now.  I have to take issue with the guy's
>>> pricing though.
>>>
>>> Here's a simple setup if you already have a monitor, usb mouse, usb
>>> keyboard, minimum 700mA micro usb power, and ethernet cable handy...which
>>> would be anyone rummaging through sudo storage:
>>>
>>> micro sd card with adapter $7
>>>
>>> http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-microSDHC-Memory-SDC4-8GB/dp/B001CQT0X4/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1367353380&sr=1-7&keywords=8gb+sd
>>>
>>> HDMI-DVI video adapter $4
>>>
>>> http://www.amazon.com/Eforcity-Black-Meter-HDMI-Cable/dp/B000E8SY5Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1367353318&sr=8-5&keywords=hdmi+dvi
>>>
>>> GPIO breakout to breadboard $8
>>> http://www.adafruit.com/products/914
>>>
>>> optional wifi dongle $10
>>>
>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315091&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Wireless+Adapters-_-N82E16833315091&gclid=CKGF4qud87YCFWRyQgod4UEAKg
>>>
>>> So assuming you have some of the more common (read: free to the
>>> resourceful) stuff at hand, we're talking the cost of the pi plus about
>>> $20-$30 for extra peripherals, $7 for the SD card if you want to just leave
>>> it embedded in a project sans terminal and use jumpers for the GPIO pins,
>>> which is not an option with a laptop unless you have a parallel port and
>>> plenty of patience.  I got a VESA mount for my old pi since it has no
>>> mounting holes, but the new ones can mount with some #6 screws and
>>> nuts...or nails for that matter...or duct tape.  Who needs cases anyway?
>>>  But I agree 100% that the performance can never replace a laptop or
>>> desktop for casual use.  I just wish I were better with the nuts and bolts
>>> of linux so I could really get in there and screw things up, but all in
>>> good time...
>>>
>>> Hol
>>>
>>>
>>> Apr 30, 2013 11:31:49 AM, rustylindgren at gmail.com wrote:
>>> Seems obvious, but I don't think people realize how cheap we can get
>>> thinkpads... thinkpads also last a long time, using superior electronics
>>> components,hinges and other hardware.
>>> >
>>> http://www.extremetech.com/computing/148482-the-true-cost-of-a-raspberry-pi-is-more-than-you-think
>>>
>>>
>>> >If anyone wants to know how to buy thinkpads, I'm willing to sit down
>>> with people and find them cheap computers for hacking.
>>> >
>>> >--
>>> >Cheers,
>>>
>>>
>>> >Rusty Lindgren
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >sudo-discuss mailing list
>>> >sudo-discuss at lists.sudoroom.org
>>> >http://lists.sudoroom.org/listinfo/sudo-discuss
>>> >
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Rusty Lindgren
>> **
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
>
> --
> -------
> Andrew Lowe
> Cell: 831-332-2507
> http://roshambomedia.com
>
>


-- 
Cheers,

Rusty Lindgren
**
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