Imagine, a full computer so small and cheap that you can get one for free, stuck to the front of a magazine like a sample of hand soap.
The Raspberry Pi Zero is exactly that machine. Just introduced by the UK-based foundation that produces extremely low cost computers for the developing world as well as for education and enthusiast purposes, the Zero is smallest and cheapest Rasberry Pi yet.
At a miniscule 6.5cm x 3cm, it will come included with the December issue of The MagPi magazine in the UK and US, but will also be sold on its own for just $US5 ($6.90).
The new board features a 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM, making it roughly as powerful as 2010's iPhone 4 (or the computer I built in 2002. No word on whether the Pi Zero can run The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind).
Of course the Pi is designed for very different applications than a smartphone or gaming PC. Though it can technically run Windows, it's more commonly used with a lightweight operating system like Raspbian (a custom version of free OS Debian) for the purposes of coding and programming projects.
The device uses a micro-SD card slot for storage, has micro-USB slots for data and power, and a mini-HDMI socket to output video and sound, meaning a TV or monitor, a few adapters, and a keyboard are really all you need to get started. In addition to use as a PC, there are plenty of custom-built operating systems and programs to let the machine function as a set-top box, media centre or retro gaming machine.
It also has a 40-pin general-purpose input/output socket to attach any peripherals you might like the device to control, such as a touchscreen or motor, a feature that has made previous models very popular for driving robotics or electronics projects (fortunately the pinout on the new model is exactly the same as previous despite the decrease in size, so enthusiasts can give their projects an upgrade without too much revision).
The initial run of the Pi Zero is very limited, and is expected to be quite popular, so if you want to get one in Australia you might not have a lot of options for a little while. Websites Buy Rasberry Pi and Raspberry Pi Australia both have initial shipments coming in December, and are both offering bundles of a Pi Zero, USB and HDMI adapters for $25. Meanwhile element14 has the same bundle listed for $19.20.
