Friday Product Post: Pi-Tops
Raspberry Pi powered laptops that anyone can use to learn to code and create! Happy Friday!
Well hello, everyone! We really hope you had a fantastic week because we are going to close it in an awesome way for you. We know it has been unbearably hot outside, so why not stay inside a learn more about the Raspberry Pi or maybe play a fun online multiplayer game that teaches you how to code? With the pi-top you can do that and more! Let's dive in and check it out.
Raspberry Pi powered laptops always make for fun times!
The pi-top is a DIY laptop you build yourself that helps you start learning how to code, create awesome devices and take your knowledge to the next level. This Raspberry Pi powered laptop is an excellent resource to any budding hobbyist, student or intrigued user wanting to learn more about the capabilities of the credit card-sized development board.
The only thing this kit doesn't include is a speaker and its own Raspberry Pi; you'll need to supply that on your own. We purposefully chose the pi-top without its own RPi due to the fact that most of you already own your own board and may want to try using an older, cheaper model, like the B+ or RPi2.
If you are looking to purchase the newest top-of-the-line Pi we do have the Raspberry Pi 3 available now!
Is the vibrant green a bit too much? No worries; we have the slightly more subdued gray version of the pi-top available as well!
All pi-tops come preloaded with CEEDuniverse, a multiplayer online game that teaches you how to code, build circuits and make hardware that interacts with the game in real time. For example, you’ll be mining for resources in CEEDuniverse. However, you must program your mining bot in order to activate your Mining Machine. Speaking of mining, Minecraft comes pre-installed on each laptop as well!
Alright folks, that's it for this week. Hopefully you can pick up one of these fancy new laptops and keep out of that sweltering (soon-to-be) summer sun! We'll check you out next Friday with even more new products. See you then!
This seems like a solution looking for a problem. It does look like a fun toy, but what's the point?
I just bought a brand x (starts with D, ends with ell) laptop that is lighter, has more RAM, has a more capable CPU and has 32GB of solid state hard drive for over $110 less. It's also got wi-fi and Bluetooth and does not run off of a corruptible camera memory card.
Throw on your favorite version of Ubuntu to get the full Linux experience. If you want to do Pi-like GPIO programming, buy a Pi, SSH or VNC in and you're still $75 ahead.
I laughed when i saw this thing being put together. So, please correct me if i am wrong (i reeeeeeaaaaalllllly hope i am), you don't get access to the PI's USB or Ethernet ports. Why i said, cause i saw them being locked away in the shell and they are too far offset from the edge to make any practical sense.
Who ever made that should probably consider moving to making action figures...
Am sorry if it sounds harsh, but seriously, making this the way it was made, tucking all the goodness of the PI inside and "LOCKING" it ways.....nope, not kool at all...
The RPi isn't "locked" away, there is a slot that allows you to access the ports on the right side of the pi-top. The Pi is set back a little far to not put stress on the cables included with the kit to connect it to the Hub, Screen, and Keyboard. So to be able to help reach the USB port the top acrylic cover can be slid off to help reach them.
I can assure you it is a very simple process and you do not lose the ability to use the ports on the Pi.
Too bad the Pi-Top doesn't have a built in Li-Ion battery. Then it could be a true portable laptop.
It actually does contain a smart battery pack capable of running the pi-top for 10-12 hours.
Maybe a Pi-Ion battery?
Oh, you...