Raspberry Pi model B gets double the RAM
R-Pi’s 256MB just doesn’t cut it for your Java application? The Raspberry Pi foundation let us know that all outstanding Model B orders will be getting double the memory.
This entry was posted in R-Pi and tagged Model B, more RAM, R-Pi.With this in mind, we’re pleased to announce that from today all Model B Raspberry Pis will ship with 512MB of RAM as standard. If you have an outstanding order with either distributor, you will receive the upgraded device in place of the 256MB version you ordered. Units should start arriving in customers’ hands today, and we will be making a firmware upgrade available in the next couple of days to enable access to the additional memory.
Comments
Sounds like the 256MB model will soon be quite obsolete as all software released is not running with less than 512MB… Damned java and its garbage collection! It has taught a whole generation of developers to consume beyond reason. And yes, it has probably saved us from some bugs but introduced some other hard-to-comprehend situations. Uncaught exceptions, anyone?
Good upgrade for R-Pi, though, despite of my ranting… :)
All the SD images are released with apps selected for 256 MB RAM and it will stay that in future because the model A will have 256 MB (unless they’ll be selling millions of those too). I don’t know what “all software released” are you using that can’t run on 256 MB version. The HTPC distros are designed to run even with half of that as there has been other boards with even less resources.
And for us hackers it’s still plenty for any project, especially when you don’t need full HD video for it. My board is running Python script which handles LED matrix, the WebIDE by Adafruit and one regular webserver too. All that under 60 MB :)
Perhaps there is hope then. :)
I just feel that they could have added more ram from the beginning and they waited to do this to customers to increase sales. I believe you can add the memory yourself to the old ones so keep your eyes out for the tutorials on how to do this.
1. There’s lots of stuff you can do with 256MB. a 512MB option doesn’t cause your 256MB board to stop working.
2. I believe part of the move to 512MB was due to cost reduction due to the huge orders.
3. No way you will be able to do this alone. The DRAM is BGA and sandwiched on the CPU
http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/2058 and especially http://www.raspberrypi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012-09-21-10.58.22.jpg
They could and they tested it too but nobody could expect such high demand and for the estimated initial 10 000 run it was too expensive at the time. Don’t forget the board was planned and designed with fixed price more than year ago. Now the prices dropped and each distrubutor is shipping thousands of boards every day so it feasible.
Dont know about other countries, but in Poland 512MB model got a ninja price bump
supposedly the base price is $35 worldwide, however the shipping cost, local taxes, import duties etc. vary widely.
na, 256MB was $35, but as soon as they removed it and listed 512MB Polish Farnell price went up to $43
Might be worth a query to Liz on the raspberrypi.org blog to see if they still require their authorized resellers to fix pricing at $35. That was the case before, and I haven’t heard that it changed.
I’m expect cheaper 256 MB RPis to become available on eBay with reasonable prices when more 512 MB ones are sold.
I bought one from the Australian element14 on the 6th on back-order, yesterday I rang them up because the 256MB model B was removed from their site. They said any back-order is getting the 512MB version. My order is still on “Processing” from yesterday… the wait is killing me! :)
I ordered a Pi from Australian RS – in June. When I tried to cancel the order this month, they claimed it had already been shipped. I’ll be interested to see how much RAM it has, when it turns up.
Since I ordered a 512MB Pi from element14 on the same day, it will ALSO be interesting too see who arrives first.
[Update]
Element14 – Ordered Tuesday 16 Oct 9:47AM, arrived Thursday 18 Oct 3:10PM.
RS – Last contact was 10 Oct, goods were “taken to dispatch yesterday”. No further contact, no sign of goods.