Raspberry Pi was launched in 2012 and has now become the undisputed king of computer programming projects. By 2020, it is the third best-selling general-purpose computer platform after MAC and PC, and about 30 million Raspberry Pis have been sold worldwide in eight years.
When the project was born, the creators envisioned selling no more than 1,000 boards to hardcore enthusiasts at Cambridge University because they were looking for a simpler calculation method.
Therefore, how did the Raspberry Pi demand grows rapidly, and how will the size of a credit card computer develop? Follow the article to find the answer.
Problems
Like many successful projects, Raspberry Pi goes through many difficulties at first before it is known as the coding helper.
Founder Eben Upton found that students can learn computer programming as soon as they are enrolled into Cambridge University, and they can learn not too much knowledge compared to a few years ago.
Taking a look at the progress history of computers, we will find that computers began to prosper in the 1980s, thanks to cheaper home computer products such as Sinclair ZX80. In the next 20 years, computers became more and more complex and more powerful, by the mid-2000s, there were more consumers than programmers.
As for consumers, it is not so important to understand how to program . When students start learning computer programming at college, they are lacking of basic knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding of basic computing.
Students have limited options to master programming in a practical and convenient way. To solve this problem, Eben Upton decided to do something.
Challenge
Eben knows where the problem is, but it is challenging to find a solution.
It is not easy to create a powerful computer for beginners and provide realistic prices for teenagers and students.
So they started to design, and the first prototype was born in 2006.
Solution
Although Windows Vista was completed in 2006, it was not a complete failure for the computer world-the original Raspberry Pi prototype was born in February of the same year and succeed globally.
Of course, the first prototype is completely different from the first public release of the Raspberry Pi, which went on sale in February 2012 (sold out soon). But the concept is the same: cheap single-board computers are manufactured and sold, easy to use, and eventually become a tool for students to become passionate about computer programming again.
The prototype has been honed and refined for several years, while reducing cost and board size, the usability, connectivity and overall performance also improves .
The Raspberry Pi Foundation was established in 2009. With funding from this charity and other trustees, the creators of the Raspberry Pi were able to continue their projects.
In 2011, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) demonstrated the first Raspberry Pi prototype. After publicity, the popularity of Raspberry Pi has been greatly increased. By 2012, when the final product was released via BBC video in February, more than 100,000 were ordered on the first day.
The first Raspberry Pi Model
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B provides the following functions:
700 MHz single core processor
256MB RAM
Two USB 2.0 ports
Composite video port
Standard HDMI
100MBPS Ethernet
26-pin GPIO connector
Full-size SD port for operating system
Micro USB powered
The great success of the first model is due not only to young enthusiasts, but also to enthusiasts who regard the Raspberry Pi as their favorite new toy-low price and durable, and can be used for various computing projects. In fact, four-fifths of sales come from old technology enthusiasts.
One of the most attractive things about the Raspberry Pi is the ultimate control it provides for users. Its well-designed components can handle many different inputs, outputs and other hardware.
Raspberry Pi also provides users with a wide range of programming languages and operating systems for their projects, thereby the appeal of single-board computers increasing.
Since its first release, the new Raspberry Pi models have continuously improved performance and efficiency, while adding new/improved features, and maintaining a low price, which has attracted a large number of computer programming enthusiasts.
The launch of Raspberry Pi 4
Here are some statistics to show the rise of Raspberry Pi:
- The performance of Raspberry Pi 4 is three times that of Raspberry Pi 3
- It is fifteen times faster than the first Raspberry Pi released in 2012
- It can even provide better performance than some traditional PCs.
In order to meet the customer’s different project needs, budgets and programming capabilities, Raspberry Pi 4 initially provides three RAM versions:
1GB (not for sale now)
2GB
4GB
Surprisingly, the Raspberry Pi Foundation managed to maintain the same price tag of $35 for the lower memory board, while the price is slightly higher for those computers that want higher performance. However, compared with lower memory board, it has more functions and scope.
What can the Raspberry Pi be used for?
The Raspberry Pi is incredibly versatile and has enough features to support numerous projects, including:
coding
Retro game console
Robot
file server
Media center
On-board computer
Smart rearview mirror
Camera project
4K video
For more Raspberry Pi awesome uses, you can check this article: Everything you should know about the Raspberry Pi
When will Raspberry Pi 5 be released?
There is no official statement about when the next Raspberry Pi will be launched. At present, various models on the market provide a wide range of choices for enthusiasts, they can continue to challenge bigger and better projects with these models.
