[OT] Raspberry Pi vs x86 embedded motherboard

[Alex Tweedly]

>
> So help me out here:  What am I not seeing about the attraction to 
> Raspberry Pi?
>
> Why isn't the world just as excited about spending just an extra few 
> bucks to get a more useful x86 system?
I can think of a few reasons / answers. Even if each one is only a 
partial explanation, it all adds up ... see later for "intermediate" answer.

But I expect the shortest answer is .... the world isn't within Newegg's 
delivery area. Outwith the US, you have to struggle a lot harder to find 
stuff like this at the right price, delivery, support, etc.

I cannot find the cheapest of these systems in the UK (in 15 minutes of 
googling). If I search around for similar systems, all I find is more 
powerful barebones systems, at $270 upwards (that includes a disk, and 
all that extra power, so it's a much better system - but it's in a 
different price bracket). It may just be my lack of familiarity with 
buying hardware/linux, but I can find a Pi very easily, and I can find 
assured components to go with it from well-known suppliers with enough 
info to realistically expect that I will not be wasting time/ money 
buying the wrong add-ons.

I would (in fact, I have) spent £30 on a Pi just on a whim to play with 
it. I won't spend £200 unless I have much more serious interest.

Intermediate version:

1. Not quite a fair comparison - the other systems you've mentioned are 
without memory (at least, I think they are), so you need to allow for that.

2. The Pi runs happily with 512M - but does an Intel based one need more 
memory ?  Mr Google says yes probably, so we'd better allow for 1G. Hmmm 
Newegg only says it uses DDR3 1066 memory - and Mr. G says that comes in 
a variety of form factors, speeds and other variants. Wonder which I need.

3. The Pi needs only a small, cheap power supply - not clear from Newegg 
what kind of PS (if any) the VX900 needs.

4. The Pi can run happily from an 8G SD - not sure what the VX900 needs 
(or even, can use). Most of these type of systems seem to assume you 
need a disk - so that means $50 extra (and makes silent / fanless more 
difficult).

So I know I can get a working  Pi for $49 + power supply ($10) + SD card 
($8).
And I know I have to research what the VX needs :-(

-- Alex.
P.S. I'd be absolutely *delighted* to hear from someone in  the UK 
telling me I'm all wrong, and that I can go to xyz.co.uk and order a 
complete set of parts that I can be sure will work together for the kind 
of system Richard is describing for £80 or less (£80 is about my "toy on 
a whim" limit :-)


On 31/08/2013 18:01, Richard Gaskin wrote:
> I like the idea of a cheap computer, but it seems the LiveCode build 
> for Linux/ARM needed to run on the Raspberry Pi is still only in its 
> early stage - here's a blog entry that includes a link to download a 
> test build if you're feeling adventurous:
> <http://livecode.com/blog/2013/02/20/livecode-on-raspberry-pi/>
>
> But the long wait for that LiveCode/ARM build has given me time to 
> ponder:  What exactly is the advantage of a Raspberry Pi over other 
> motherboards that have onboard CPUs?
>
> After all, the Pi isn't a computer per se, just a mobo; you still need 
> to add a power supply, case, and SD card to become a usable system, 
> just like any other mobo.  And you need to download and install Linux.
>
> But most of the other mobos available have Via or Atom processors, so 
> while they're not as energy-efficient as the older ARM chips the Pi 
> uses, they're still reasonably efficient and MUCH more powerful.
>
> And best of all, they can be used with LiveCode right now, server and 
> desktop.
>
> For example, the Raspberry Pi Model B sells in the US for $49 at 
> NewEgg, but a Via mobo with an x86 VX900 CPU is just $59, and for $69 
> you can get one with an Intel Atom 2550 loaded with ports:
> <http://www.newegg.com/Embedded-Solution/SubCategory/ID-446?Order=PRICE>
>
> And if you want a case and power supply included with an Atom-powered 
> system, small-form-factor barebones nettops are available as low as $129:
> <http://www.newegg.com/Mini-Booksize-Barebone-Systems/SubCategory/ID-309?Order=PRICE> 
>
>
> While the Pi's modest power makes it difficult to use many Linux 
> distros on, most x86 mobos will generally run even Ubuntu's Unity 
> interface gracefully.
>
> And we can run LiveCode on them today.
>
> So help me out here:  What am I not seeing about the attraction to 
> Raspberry Pi?
>
> Why isn't the world just as excited about spending just an extra few 
> bucks to get a more useful x86 system?
>
> -- 
>  Richard Gaskin
>  Fourth World
>  LiveCode training and consulting: http://www.fourthworld.com
>  Webzine for LiveCode developers: http://www.LiveCodeJournal.com
>  Follow me on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/FourthWorldSys
>
> _______________________________________________
> use-livecode mailing list
> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com
> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your 
> subscription preferences:
> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode