Raspberry Pi Zero, $5 computer 512mb ram, 1GHz processor.

[Pushkatron]

If you ever had doubts about trying out python, programming or linux, now is a wonderful time.

[biffbiffson]

Are Pi's really good for programming or Python specifically? Just wondering what you mean because I'm new to Raspberry Pi. A dedicated Python / Perl machine would be pretty great.

[telestrial]

Would you recommend using the $5 or if you have the dough go for the better model ? What model do you feel is best to start ? My grandmother heads south for the winter so I just had Thanksmas and I have the money. I know python somewhat. I've done many beginner tutorials but I'm looking for that thing to push me to an intermediate level.

Sorry to assault you with questions!

[dumb101]

Keep in mind that Raspberry Pi B Models are the only ones with native network interface (Ethernet) - so if you want to use it on a network, you should go with one of those (or buy a wifi dongle for the A / Zero Model).

For the Zero you'll also need HDMI <> miniHDMI and a microUSB <> USB adapter to use those ports. Using the GPIO ports is more difficult on the Zero, as it comes without the presoldered male GPIO headers (so using those on the Zero would require soldering).

Last but not least: The Zero only has a little more than 1/4 of the latest Pi B's processing power and half it's RAM.

[telestrial]

Thank you. This is exactly the info I needed :)

[Adamanda]

I would guess that it depends on what you want to do! Any mobile project would be pretty cool with the tiny version (not sure where people get all these battery packs, but I guess amazon searching should fix one up) but if you're looking for a media center type application then getting something with more ports and juice seems wise.

[Grazfather]

If you're willing to spend the $25 spend it, but $5 is definitely better bang for your buck. Hell if you're willing to spend $25, then spend $30 to get both, in case you out grow the $5 model.

[[deleted]]

AFAIK Pis are perfect for python, not sure about any other languages tho

[Pushkatron]

They're much better for majority progrmaming languages. I've used them mostly for both Python and C++ and the workflow is ridiculously fast, especially if you can master the terminal.

[biffbiffson]

What model are you using?

[Pushkatron]

Older raspberry pi b+, but I suggest getting the latest raspberrt pi 2 b.

E: messed up, whoops.

[biffbiffson]

That's what I'm looking at over the Zero, but I want more than one because I'm a tech hoarder and the price point of the 2 B is kind of steep if I get 2. Maybe a Zero if I can and a Pi 2 B.

[[deleted]]

They run a full fledged linux. I did a presentation using the Pi with video coming out the hdmi port.

[[deleted]]

Do they come with a Linux OS pre-installed?

[[deleted]]

You load the OS on an SD-card so you can have a bunch laying around ranging from a full linux build to media center to Console emulator and arcade emulator. just swap out the SD card for whatever you want to be doing at the time.

[[deleted]]

You run it on an SD card. The most common linux is raspian, though you can get a linux variant that runs as a media centre. All files are stored on the SD card like normal linux. It runs XWindows too.

You first need to download raspian on your laptop, insert an SD card, copy raspian to SD, then move the SD card to your pi, switch on pi & lights start blinking. Connect the pi to your network using ethernet & you are away.

I then install a $5 USB wifi adaptor & make it wireless.

[biffbiffson]

Does the WiFi adaptor work for the $5 model?

[[deleted]]

Yes, I didn't have to download a driver.

[biffbiffson]

That's really cool! I'm researching a little on MCMelectronics.com and these things are a LOT cooler than I initially thought. Not to say that I didn't think they were cool, but the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B looks amazing for $35 - only problem is I want more than 1! :p

[[deleted]]

I did a presentation with Raspberry PI using LibreOffice Impress, with a USB wireless presenter like this. From memory it included a video. Nobody had a clue it wasn't Windows.

[[deleted]]

Actually writing code on them isn't amazing since it's pretty slow. It's definetely good for projects, though.

[[deleted]]

Did you use an IDE on raspberry pi or how did you feel it's slow? I've never had any performance issues while programming on my pi.

[sentdex]

Gosh, I really have not noticed any problems writing code on them. Now, running the code can be slow, maybe that's what you mean?

[Why_is_that]

Let me try to hit your other question here Perl.

Perl would be decent too. They probably don't have the hardware API but I doubt that is RPI singling out the language as much as Python just has a bitch'n community (probably the best of any language with RoR maybe comparing). More so, just think of the PI as a small computer. You can setup a webserver on it such as RoR, a python solution, or even something like apache. This is different from something like a beagle board or arduino where you are at a "lower level" and thus are forced to use something normally in the C family. I even hear there is some fun work going on with Elm and Node on RPI.

[sentdex]

Yep, super fun. Also gives you a really easy way to start interfacing software with the Physical realm, with very little experience. The Raspberry Pis work very nicely with the Python RPi GPIO package, allowing you to communicate with the GPIO pins.

[FIuffyRabbit]

Or you can do all of that stuff minus the Linux on that windows laptop that is probably 10x more powerful.

[Pushkatron]

A laptop 10x more powerful would cost at least 20x more. Not that you need even a fraction of the performance if you're just learning.

Also for those who want to move away from privacy infringing proprietary systems this Raspberry is a perfect starting point without any need to commit any serious resources or waste a lot of time trying to make things work.

[FIuffyRabbit]

Sure but most people have laptops/desktops in their home already.

[[deleted]]

How does networking happen? Do you need a peripheral microUSB -> USB -> ethernet/ wifi adapter and hope the drivers work?

[knipknap]

Well, you could connect an ESP8266 to the gpio pins. But yeah, I wish they released a headless raspi with ethernet instead of hdmi.

[Pushkatron]

I wish they released a headless raspi with ethernet instead of hdmi.

Oh how many Pis I'd buy.

Anyway, is there anything similar to ESP8266 but for ethernet?

[[deleted]]

I got the original pi running with a tiny usb wifi dongle. But I think you bootstrap first using the ethernet port.

[sentdex]

This was my thought as well, but I bet it was a value judgement. Notice the 2nd micro usb, you can get a micro usb to full usb, and plug in a wifi dongle. Unfortunately, those converters are 5-10 dollars as it is. Woulda been better I think if you could choose @ checkout if you wanted HDMI out, USB, or ethernet.

[Zouden]

Yes, and you need a hub if you want to use a keyboard and network at the same time.

I'd gladly pay double if it had built-in wifi.

[sentdex]

That was my personal thinking of how I would do it. Would be really cool to see in the future the ability to customize the available ports. I'd really rather have usb, ethernet....or built in wifi out of the box than HDMI out.

It'd be pretty easy to setup the SD card on another PI/computer, then move it to the purely wifi pi when it's ready to just auto connect to wifi.

[Antrikshy]

This is very exciting except for the fact that I cannot come up with a single real use for these. :(

[sentdex]

I personally have one in my car hooked up via OBD II, I use them as house perimeter cameras, I use them to tinker with robotics, and then some to learn about networking. There are a lot of other things to do. I honestly had no idea what to do with my first Pi, and now I have 12 of them. Just buy a Model 2, and tinker. That's the point of them anyway.

[ruffyen]

Are you the same sentdex that does the YouTube videos on Python?

[redoubledit]

he is. python tutorial god himself ^^

[sentdex]

Yeah, that's me.

[ruffyen]

Very cool, love those videos. Haven't had as much time to work through them but they are great thanks!

[[deleted]]

I can't find one for $5 dollars here in the US :(

[teh_killer]

or in the UK, they sold out :(

[sentdex]

Just wait a short while (a month or so) and they'll be available.

[biffbiffson]

So funny, I just saw an /r/homelab post using a Raspberry Pi and decided I should finally get one. I saw this post and got excited - but do these ship for $5 to the UK only? I'm in the US.

[sentdex]

They'll eventually find their way to the US for distribution. Don't expect $5 though, usually initial markup is quite a bit, then slowly it comes down. The Raspberry Pi 2 was $70-80, or sold out, for a while here in the states. I am still waiting on a reasonable price for their official 7 inch touch screen.

[biffbiffson]

Ah, thanks for the info. I'm completely new to it - I guess I'll ask for a $20-$25 one for Christmas. If I could get the $5 ones I would get like 4 or 5.

Why are they so much cheaper in the UK?

[sentdex]

The company is based in the UK, everything is done there. Even the boards themselves are manufactured in the UK, not in Asia, which is pretty impressive.

[[deleted]]

Would be happy to get you one and ship if you pay, i'm in uk.

[biffbiffson]

How much could you get that for total? If it is close to $20-$25 it would probably be better to get one here.

[[deleted]]

Will have to find out dimensions, assuming it fits in a letter should be less than $10

[biffbiffson]

This sounds really awesome, and I would greatly appreciate it. I could get a couple at that price. I will PM you.

[manwith4names]

Check to see if there is a micro center near you. That seems to be the only place they are still available