Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI

[ChuckT]

Patent Filing Reveals Nvidia May Build Tiny Computers

We're talking a 40-60 mm long by 5-10 mm wide package holding a Tegra processor, flash memory, RAM, USB, Firewire, VGA, HDMI, S Video, AV, DVI, Lan and Wifi in a small compact package.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-patent-portable-computer-usb,13878.html

[bloodline]

All competition is good... I suppose :-/

[commodorejohn]

I kinda doubt it's going to be $35/$25 for schools, though.

[nicholas]

All competition is good... I suppose :-/

If the BOM price of these is correct then it's no competition for the Raspberry Pi.

[ChuckT]

If the BOM price of these is correct then it's no competition for the Raspberry Pi.

Nvidia is no joke and if motivated, they can provide more than a Rasberry PI can.  Their Tegra 3 processor is 1.5 GHZ vs the Rasberry's 700 MHZ.

According to Wikipedia, the only output the Rasberry PI has is Ethernet and wired USB (other than HDMI).  It is cheaper because it has less onboard but that doesn't mean that someone else can't compete.

[commodorejohn]

Nvidia is no joke and if motivated, they can provide more than a Rasberry PI can.  Their Tegra 3 processor is 1.5 GHZ vs the Rasberry's 700 MHZ.

According to Wikipedia, the only output the Rasberry PI has is Ethernet and wired USB (other than HDMI).  It is cheaper because it has less onboard but that doesn't mean that someone else can't compete.

There's certainly no question nVidia can provide a more powerful micro-form-factor machine than the Pi, but I'm not sure they're even intending to "compete." The Pi is an ultra-low-cost machine aimed at a limited and specific application (educational computing,) and for the program goals they've stated it should suffice perfectly. nVidia's potential product here looks more like it's intended as a sort of laptop replacement for people who want a full-fledged portable computer but for whatever reason don't want to carry a laptop and are okay with using a dock, and I'm sure with those specs it's going to cost a bit more than $25. Those are pretty much completely separate markets, and while nVidia's dealy may divert some of the geek-interest, I don't think it's going to threaten the Pi's intended user base much.

[Duce]

Likely 2 very, very different markets either company are shooting for, as John said.  The RaspberryPi folks are doing a teaching board IMHO, where as the nVidia guys are most certainly shooting for something a lot more mainstream.  Doubt either product will step on each others toes in the least.

[minator]

Likely 2 very, very different markets either company are shooting for, as John said.  The RaspberryPi folks are doing a teaching board IMHO, where as the nVidia guys are most certainly shooting for something a lot more mainstream.  Doubt either product will step on each others toes in the least.

I was at a talk by one of their founder recently.

Rasberry PI is produced by a charity, not a company.  They did it to get kids interested in programming.  If someone else comes along that does the same it's not competition - they'll actually be happy about it.

[minator]

BTW There's also the BeagleBone now for $89:

http://beagleboard.org/bone