Raspberry Pi / Alternatives / Accessoires

[J J]

Hello,

It's my birthday today and I can buy some stuff as a present. I'm looking to buy a small ARM based device that can run an ARM version of Linux. The first thing that comes to mind is a Raspberry Pi but there are also numerous others that are more expensive but are also offering more.

Raspberry Pi with ModMyPi case + shipping to The Netherlands is 50€.
Link: https://www.modmypi.com/shop/raspberry-pi-cases/raspberry-pi-and-modmypi-case
BCM2835 ARM11 800 Mhz CPU, 512mb ram, Integrated Videocore 4 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Other options:
Alpen Android 4.0.4 Mini TV is 86€ with shipping
http://nl.dinodirect.com/android-tv-box-google-tv-player-android-4-0-pc-a9-cpu-google-tv-player-mini-google-tv-box.html
Dualcore ARM Cortex A9 1,5 Ghz CPU, 1gb RAM, Quadcore mali-400 GPU
Significantly better specs.

MK808B android 4.1 is 41,60€ with shipping
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MK808B-Dual-Core-Android-4-1-Jelly-Bean-TV-BOX-RK3066-Cortex-A9-1GB-RAM-8GB-ROM-Mini-PC-TV-Box---Black-313213.html
Dualcore Cortex a9 1,6 Ghz CPU, 1gb RAM, mali-400 graphics

There are loads of other options but the Raspberry Pi Linux support is the best. That's why I'm leaning towards it. But other devices have specs that offer like three times the power of a Pi.

On the other hand there are also other interesting options to build a small PC such as: http://liliputing.com/2012/10/asus-c60m1-i-80-pc-board-with-amd-c-60-dual-core-cpu.html
Vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um0Oz1nytzc
Costs around €65 to get one for me. Add 2x2gb 1066 mhz ram & some psu and case would make it a little over 100€ for a funny system. Idk. Might be interesting as it can run full OS.

Anyways. Any advice here or anyone that has Raspberry Pi? Wondering what other cables and accessoires I would need to get it running properly :)

What do I plan on doing with this? Play around and look into Python to make some scripts. Not sure what else, we'll see .. :garfield:

EDIT: I also value the communities that each device brings. Raspberry Pi seems to have some nice communities and loads of support.

[J J]

I'm still looking for opinions. This subforum seems rather glitched as my topic is nearly below the page even though it is the newest. Can any moderator/admin/SSRL look into it if they read this?

Some altneratives I've found
ODroid X2 featuring Exynos 4412: 2GB RAM, 1,7 Ghz quadcore cortex a9 CPU / mali-400 quadcore GPU for 129$. Amazing specs and decent price.
http://www.hardkernel.com/renewal_2011/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=G135235611947

EPIA-P910 board is a small quadcore x86 board.. but is 359$ and bigger and basicly can be made into a full PC. http://store.viatech.com/protected/product/frontProductDetail.action?id=9621

Cubieboard similar to raspberry pi except that it sports 1gb ram, rest is similar
Not available yet though: http://cubieboard.org/

Some others
https://www.olimex.com/Products/OLinuXino/A13/

Interesting wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_single-board_computers

Anyways there is so much stuff to choose.

I like the Raspberry Pi for it's lowest price and huge community.
I also like the ODroid X2 for it's beastly specs.

Leaning towards one of those.

[masterBB]

"I'm still looking for opinions. This subforum seems rather glitched as my topic is nearly below the page even though it is the newest. Can any moderator/admin/SSRL look into it if they read this?"

This subforum is sorted on thread name by default instead of post date. Also SSRL aren't staff, and can't change stuff like this ^^.

[J J]

"I'm still looking for opinions. This subforum seems rather glitched as my topic is nearly below the page even though it is the newest. Can any moderator/admin/SSRL look into it if they read this?"

This subforum is sorted on thread name by default instead of post date. Also SSRL aren't staff, and can't change stuff like this ^^.
Yeah but there is a subforum to report certain things I believe? Think it would make more sense to sort if based on post date.

[cause]

I really have no developed opinion on any of these...all I know is indeed Raspberry Pi does seem to have a really good community. Gl and keep us updated!

[J J]

I really have no developed opinion on any of these...all I know is indeed Raspberry Pi does seem to have a really good community. Gl and keep us updated!
Thanks, will keep everyone that is interested updated on what I will be purchasing and trying to create. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it. Just experimentating I guess. Some people made some cool Arcade players with a Raspberry Pi :P

Perhaps I could make something like a GameBoy Advance SP.. meh we will see.

[cause]

Thanks, will keep everyone that is interested updated on what I will be purchasing and trying to create. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it. Just experimentating I guess. Some people made some cool Arcade players with a Raspberry Pi :P

Perhaps I could make something like a GameBoy Advance SP.. meh we will see.

Ya that would be sweet. Do you have access to a woodshop or metal shop? Creating an arcade cabinet would be super cool. Or one of those top down coffee tables with 2 player games (slamball for sega genesis is the one I've seen done)

[J J]

Ya that would be sweet. Do you have access to a woodshop or metal shop? Creating an arcade cabinet would be super cool. Or one of those top down coffee tables with 2 player games (slamball for sega genesis is the one I've seen done)
Yeah that would be pretty epic but I'm more of a software guy than hardware so far. Might get more interested in hardware though.

This is really nice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5npkz0xY1fo
He has also documented everything: http://spritesmods.com/?art=rpi_arcade&f=yt

There is a lot you can do, I would like to have some sort of small gaming machine :stirthepot:

[DrChill]

I'm going to buy a raspberry pi for some sort of media server, then I'll connect it to my TV, as it has a decent video card, maybe use it as a small game system/server, looks like something fun to hack on :)

[Ubuntu]

I'm going to buy a raspberry pi for some sort of media server, then I'll connect it to my TV, as it has a decent video card, maybe use it as a small game system/server, looks like something fun to hack on :)
:p Gl on that. I doubt the pi will do go as a game system but it does make a decent media server as long as you dont expect to play 1080p. Remember, you cant install windows on the rasberry pi. Try Raspbian (based on debian) .

[J J]

:p Gl on that. I doubt the pi will do go as a game system but it does make a decent media server as long as you dont expect to play 1080p. Remember, you cant install windows on the rasberry pi. Try Raspbian (based on debian) .
It can actually play 1080p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFweR9oTuno&feature=player_embedded

[Kave]

I've also bought one of these, planning on going for the solar powered build just cause it's interesting. Might buy another one and do a minor version of this (http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/supercomputer-built-from-raspberry-pi-and-lego/)

[DrChill]

It can actually play 1080p
^This

I'm not sure about gaming system either, but I should be able to get some old retro games running via an emulator. Linux++ I currently only use Linux, except when botting :)

[Ian]

Hey JJ, it's pretty basic setup stuff but this was in my subscription box so I thought I'd share :
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=46xfsX-qOw0
I sort of want one now :D

[EtherFreak]

I have a raspberry PI. I currently have xbmc installed on it, and hooked to my HD tv. It works great playing HD videos, and can also be controlled via CEC and the tv remote. Make sure you have at least a 800 mA power adapter for the unit, and if you are going to use external drives, a powered usb hub. I guess I should see how it runs runescape one of these days...

[DannyRS]

I guess I should see how it runs runescape one of these days...

Please Do ;), would be really interesting to know if it was any good

[Ian]

I had a similarly spec'd laptop (03 ftw) with xubuntu on it, and I managed to get Simba and SMART working (wine), but it was incredibly laggy. The laptop was very old though so that could have hurt performance.

[Dgby714]

If you're looking for a tv setup the CuBox looks nice. http://solid-run.com/cubox

The RasPi is a nice dev board tho, you can do anything with it.

[Angel Heart]

I guess I should see how it runs runescape one of these days...

Java on a Pi isnt developed enough for RS yet.

Even the best Pi on the market is only 'just' meeting the min requirments for Runescape (512mb ram 1Ghz overclocked).

When I have my pi up to 1Ghz it needs active air cooling (usb fan) and it still gets very hot when using 100% cpu.

I currently have my Pi installed inside a RC car with a webcam and directional wifi antena hooked up. Sshing into the car and crusing the neighborhood is really fun.

[EtherFreak]

Java on a Pi isnt developed enough for RS yet.

Even the best Pi on the market is only 'just' meeting the min requirments for Runescape (512mb ram 1Ghz overclocked).

When I have my pi up to 1Ghz it needs active air cooling (usb fan) and it still gets very hot when using 100% cpu.

I currently have my Pi installed inside a RC car with a webcam and directional wifi antena hooked up. Sshing into the car and crusing the neighborhood is really fun.

Aw darn, I was thinking of doing something like this...

[Mr[S]]

ARM is another British revolutionary piece of technology :p

[quazzymodem]

I have a one too! I'm thinking of working a pico projector into a case for it, and biggyback on its battery to power the rasPi.

[J J]

If you're looking for a tv setup the CuBox looks nice. http://solid-run.com/cubox

The RasPi is a nice dev board tho, you can do anything with it.
Yeah the CuBox is nice aswell just like some others I mentioned in the first two posts :) Just so much choice and everything keeps developing so fast nowadays. In around 6 months from now we will probably see Quadcore Cortex A-15 boards. And in a year intel will release a new Intel Atom featuring graphics better than Intel 4000 & having four cores / DDR3L (low power) memory :P

Haven't made my decision yet. Leaning towards Raspberry Pi because of the community.


I had a similarly spec'd laptop (03 ftw) with xubuntu on it, and I managed to get Simba and SMART working (wine), but it was incredibly laggy. The laptop was very old though so that could have hurt performance.
Yeah but this is ARM-based Linux so RuneScape won't work (yet) :(


I have a one too! I'm thinking of working a pico projector into a case for it, and biggyback on its battery to power the rasPi.
Wow that would be pretty legit :D Those are pretty expensive ($200+). Would be neat to make a cheap one yourself that can pull off similar things.

EDIT: $82.65 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Portable-Multimedia-Pocket-Cinema-Projector-Apple-iPhone-iPod-w-Tripod-/330724761652?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D11%26meid%3D4691732298352542210%26pid%3D100 011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D320765917980%26
73.99$ http://www.ebay.com/itm/UC20-Mini-Good-Multimedia-LED-Projector-With-Media-Player-Mp3-Mp4-AV-in-Speaker-/181030825950?pt=US_Video_Projectors&hash=item2a26472fde

Seems like you can get some projectors < 100$ on ebay. Might be able to snag one off ebay for like 50$ in a bidding, that's interesting :P

EDIT 2: For 94$ on Deal Xtreme with free shipping
http://dx.com/p/mini-projector-with-tripod-for-iphone-4s-ipad-black-170088

All those cheaper mini projectors can just display 320x240 though.
Would be a nice project to get it working and write a Python script on the Raspberry Pi.

Also got an A/V connection so it should already work pretty much out of the box connecting it from the Pi.

[Angel Heart]

Anyone else used their PI for a vintage gaming emulator? "Thank you drknes! But your Pi is in another project!" I cant test right now so can someone suggest a good emulator program that supports old nintendo roms?

Im thinking of grabbing an old grey brick Gameboy and using it to house a Pi and maybe an arduino tiny for the controls.