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The Cabin >> Raspberry and Other Pies >> A Full Raspberry Pi Computer?
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Message started by Fernando on Nov 22^nd, 2020, 3:47pm

Title: A Full Raspberry Pi Computer?
Post by Fernando on Nov 22^nd, 2020, 3:47pm

There have been some changes to the Raspberry Pi since nVida bought them as they wanted a slice of the ARM CPU Systems Pie (no pun intended). Note, that Microsoft is trying to the same move in their hardware and software division to wrestle Android’s control over these systems. One of these changes nVida is doing is to make a full computer for schools to use instead of buying DIY parts to for schools to build computers with. But they are doing this at a price unheard of since the First 8Bit Computer Price Wars – for $70!

The Raspberry Pi 400 has a modified R-Pi 4 board in it with 4GB of RAM and all the ports moved. Unfortunately, one of the hi-speed USB Ports was removed, giving you 2 regular USP Ports and 1 hi-speed port. Like any R-Pi before, it uses a micro SD Card to boot from though you can use hacks to add a SSD to the USB Port and boot from it instead.

Unfortunately, to add a keyboard, there are some compatibility issues with programs like Retro-Pi which allows you to play emulated games and systems on the Raspberry Pi. Fortunately PeriFractic of Retro Recipes was able to contact both the Raspberry Pi Foundation and the Author of Retro=Pi to make a new version of the emulation software for the system. Other software makers are following suit as well. But issues on the USB Ports include – Joystick and plugged in keyboards not working. Hopefully a path can be made for the OS to remedy this.

Other than this issue, it seems to be 95% compatible with the other Raspberry Pis. The keyboard seems to be that of a laptop keyboard, not full sized but “just big enough” to work on. The $70 price is a deal maker if you want to have a Raspberry Pi computer and not to deal with buying and assembling parts. To my understanding, for $100 you get a full kit that includes a SD Card with the OS and a matching mouse.

There are several reviews for it on Youtube but the best I consider is Retro Recipes’ video as he puts it through its paces and takes it apart to show what is inside. His video is here (beware of dry jokes that he is famous for...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nopc7mJUDkM

Tinkersphere has the Raspberry Pi 400 for $69.00. I have not seen it on Microcenter at the time of this writing.
https://tinkersphere.com/raspberry-pi-orange-pi-boards/3564-raspberry-pi-400-full-pc-in-a-keyboard.html

I will reviewing one as soon as I get on sometime in the near future.

Title: Re: A Full Raspberry Pi Computer?
Post by Fernando on Nov 22^nd, 2020, 4:19pm

Update:

Apparently Microcenter does sell the Raspberry Pi Computer Kit which includes the SD Card and Mouse for $100, but the one near me is sold out.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/631204/raspberry-pi-400

Title: Re: A Full Raspberry Pi Computer?
Post by Hondo I. Sackett on Nov 22^nd, 2020, 8:36pm

Want one, they seem to be sold out everywhere. Wish they had the 8gb ram setup, though.