| Ultra cheap and simple PC's for the IT illiterate Hi. I just recently saw the Raspberry Pi online for the first time and couldn't help wonder if there is a way to make it into an ultra cheap PC that I could install a very basic, straight forward, foolproof OS on and give to a few IT-illiterate friends as gifts, and possibly more. Then I saw all the stuff its missing and realized that would jack up the price considerably.
My questions is, is there a cheaper solution to providing internet and basic computer functionality to people?
Many thanks! |
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Reviews:
 ·WestNet Broadband
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It should be enough. Just plug in a usb stick, heck, enough research might get a small external hdd working, run a media player/linux type deal and plug it into the TV. It might not play the best video quality on real large screens, but for browsing the air waves and letter writing, documenting, family budgets, photos editing etc, I can't see why it wouldn't work just fine.
TV's are there in every house. What other items like amplifiers etc could a hdmi cable plug into to allow the linking to house hold playback systems effectively.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke
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 JeffMD
join:2002-08-16
Edgewater, FL
kudos:1 | reply to greg000000
I would probably consider one of those Android-on-a-HDMI stick rather then raspberry pi for a cheap internet system. |
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 MacGyverDon't Waste Your EnergyPremium,ExMod 2003-05
join:2001-10-14
Canada
kudos:1
·TekSavvy DSL
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There are lots of outfits that refurb old PC's and sell or give them away to the needy. MS even has a licensing program for this. The problem is providing something with enough horsepower to actually be useful.
This is one of the reasons why the iPad is so popular, it's has a straight forward fool-proof OS and can be used by anyone. Even my three year old figured out how to use it. |
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 Cthen
join:2004-08-01
Detroit, MI
 ·Verizon Wireless..
 ·Comcast
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said by JeffMD:I would probably consider one of those Android-on-a-HDMI stick rather then raspberry pi for a cheap internet system.
I second that. The Android OS is very easy for noobs to learn and use on these devices.
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"I like to refer to myself as an Adult Film Efficienato." - Stuart Bondek |
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 OctaveanPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-31
New York, NY
kudos:1 | reply to greg000000
Asus will be releasing the FonePad soon which is based on an Intel Atom processor in a 7" tablet running Android. It also has a built in cellular phone.
I don't know enough about it to say but one would think it would be possible to install Linux or possibly even Windows since its X86 / X64 based.
Its supposedly going to sell for $250 USD,.... |
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| reply to greg000000
if you look around, you can usually get Pentium 4 class computers for free, or for next to nothing -- more than enough for basic functionality.
If you go a little lower, they may actually pay you some money or give you a beer to take it away!!  |
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