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Operating System Specific Discussions => Other Operating Systems => Topic started by: ChuckT on November 02, 2011, 06:33:47 PM

Title: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: ChuckT on November 02, 2011, 06:33:47 PM
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
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: bloodline on November 02, 2011, 06:40:35 PM
All competition is good... I suppose :-/
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: commodorejohn on November 02, 2011, 06:43:23 PM
I kinda doubt it's going to be $35/$25 for schools, though.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: nicholas on November 02, 2011, 06:43:57 PM
Quote from: bloodline;666267
All competition is good... I suppose :-/


If the BOM price of these is correct then it's no competition for the Raspberry Pi.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: ChuckT on November 02, 2011, 07:50:42 PM
Quote from: nicholas;666269
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.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: commodorejohn on November 02, 2011, 07:58:03 PM
Quote from: ChuckT;666281
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.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: Duce on November 02, 2011, 08:46:51 PM
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.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: minator on November 02, 2011, 11:29:07 PM
Quote from: Duce;666289
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.
Title: Re: Nvidia may challenge the Rasberry PI
Post by: minator on November 02, 2011, 11:33:25 PM
BTW There's also the BeagleBone now for $89:

http://beagleboard.org/bone