Raspberry Pi latest release hits the Industry
The Raspberry Pi Foundation on Monday launched its long-awaited industrial strength Compute Module 3. The latest version of the low-cost Raspberry Pi computer, it is designed for more robust manufacturing and technical demand uses than prior versions, which target consumer and basic business needs.
The idea behind the new module is to provide a cost-effective way to produce customized products based on the Raspberry Pi 3, noted James Adams, chief operating officer and hardware lead.
The new module offers 10 times the CPU performance and twice the RAM of the original module, which allows innovators working in an entrepreneurial environment capabilities comparable to those of their more established colleagues.
" The thought was to provide the ' team in the garage' with easy access to the same technology as the big guys," Adams wrote in an online post. " The Module takes care of the complexity of routing out the processor pins, the high speed RAM interface and core power supply and allows a simpler carrier board to provide just what is needed in terms of external interfaces and form factor."
The foundation launched two versions of the Compute Module 3. The standard features a BCM2837 processor at up to 1.2GHz with 1 GByte of RAM, the same as Pi3, and 4 Gbytes of on module eMMC flash. It' s priced at US$30.
The second version, Compute Module 3 lite, has the same processor and RAM, but brings the SD card interface to the module pin, which allows users to connect it to an eMMC or SD card of their choosing. It' s priced at $25. The foundation further announced a price reduction for the original Raspberry Pi model, which now can be had for $25.
" The Compute Model 3 brings the upgraded performance from the regular Raspberry Pi model 3 to the industrial model," noted Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research. NEC Display Solutions Europe last fall announced plans to collaborate with Raspberry Pi on its Open Modular Intelligence platform.
The Raspberry Pi Compute Model 3 works seamlessly with its professional P and V series large-format displays, the company said.
computer board. The Pi is an exciting and accessible means of improving computing and programming
skills for people of all ages.
memory cards or monitors.
• A monitor or TV screen to set-up your Pi
• A keyboard to interact with your Pi
• A mouse to navigate your Pi
• A power supply
• An SD card with the latest version of New Out Of Box Software (NOOBS),
to install the operating system that you would like to use