Raspberry Pi 400: Is it a Computer for the COVID-19 age?
Have you ever thought of using an entire computer that is contained in a keyboard? All you need to do is connect it to the monitor and you’re ready to go. This sounds like an idea back from the 1980s, similar to the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro or Commodore Amiga.
Well this 2020, we have the Raspberry Pi 400. This is Raspberry Pi’s latest product. Raspberry Pi is an organization funded to get children coding.
The Raspberry Pi 400 is a £67 gadget, £95 with cables and a mouse, may answer the challenge of buying affordable computing to kids affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s goal is to mirror the simplicity of the tech devices in the 1980s.
It functions as a utility device, like something you purchase to play games on and do schoolwork. What’s amazing about this is that it’s bundled with all things that you need to go on with life.
With around 6 million sales since its 2012 launch, it’s already the top-selling British computer ever made. The original device was quite intimidating. The user needed to look for a monitor, keyboard, mouse and cables. Now, aside from a monitor, you can get everything in a single kit. It’s selling quite well.
There’s a danger that the commercial success of this small computer can divert the organization away from its original core educational mission. Though, Eben Upton, the company’s CEO, is clear about the target audience of the product.
He said that 7,000 kids got sent home from their schools in March without a computer. The Raspberry Pi 400 is a machine for any person who needs a personal computer. While a number of children are already back in school, the issue is not yet solved. He said there are still tons of people who need computers.
The government launched a laptop program for disadvantaged kids without computers. But, head teachers said that it’s still not enough. As per Philip Colligan, the person running Raspberry Pi’s charitable arm, the digital divide is so real for children. For many, online learning seems impossible.
Other people which are not connected to this initiative are also optimistic about its closing the online divide. According to Julia Adamson, Chartered Institute for IT director, it’s completely possible with the support of various resources, guidance and content used to nourish parents’ and children’s knowledge and skills.
Raspberry Pi has officially launched the Stay Connected with School programme. It worked with many voluntary organizations to give families not just a computer, but also the software and kit required to start online learning. They are hoping that a Pi 400 can serve as an efficient platform for a much wider initiative.
The Raspberry Pi 400 is just a small contribution to closing the so-called digital divide. There are also other affordable computers available.
With more kids likely to be dependent on online learning in the following months, this seems like a huge opportunity for the tech industry, which has been growing during the coronavirus pandemic.
You also might want to consider the Best Chromebook for you to buy.
