How exactly isn't this a "real" computer? Not all children have their own personal computers.
This thing requires more than just the Pi. When you add up the other crap you'll need to use it, is it really that great?
If they have an HDMI capable display and no personal computer, their family needs to rethink priorities and get them into technology instead of HD television.
Plus once its all setup, you have a goony little board with no case (or a case when they have them), with wires on all sides. Great for hamfisted kids to sit near and use.
OOPS I SPILLED CAPRI SUN ON MY RASPBERRY PI.
I picture cake frosting and crap spilled on these. Kids are clumsy and sloppy. Slap them in front of some hulking PC case. It's safer.
Access to a personal computer only gets you so far when your use of it is restricted in various ways, especially when it comes to programming.
I'm sorry, how are you restricted on a personal computer when it comes to programming? If you've got Linux (free), a keyboard, and at least 1 finger, you aren't restricted. Hell you don't even need fingers really. Toes are fine.
This thing is more restricting than a personal computer. It supports what, Perl, Python, C, and BBC BASIC? No C++? No C#? No Java? THAT SOUNDS RESTRICTING.
They'd be better off sticking these kids on Linux boxes with endless possibilities.
One word for you on that score: Ergonomics!
I for one would not be happy with my kids using a netbook for hours.
Meanwhile they're probably slumped over coloring or playing handheld games, or slouched down so far in their seats they might as well be laying down.
and who's to say these things are going to be ergonomical? It's all up to the end user's setup.
What if this things on a floor with a keyboard (either on the floor or in their lap), and then it's wired to a TV that forces the kid to sit and stare straight up like its the front row of a movie theatre?
Plus, you can be ergonomical with a netbook (unless you're some 350+ pound blob with poor posture and no desk room).
Feh.
If you can't do it on 700MHz and 256MB of RAM, it isn't worth doing.
if you can't do it in assembly, it isn't worth doing.
now , really, its 2012. This kind of thinking is just stupid. Stop being stupid and get with the times.
I think this thing's called the Pi because its a 3.14/10