OVERVIEW: Raspberry Pi 2 - the most popular microcomputer

Fees for developers known in the market as microcomputers, with each passing day becomes more and more popular. The first batch third version beloved Raspberry Pi has already gone to buyers. Meanwhile, the cost of the second model with the letter "B" substantially decreased from dealers (the manufacturer is very expensive shipping) - an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with this gadget.

The basic model, Raspberry Pi 2 B, in China can be found for $ 32 (From the official distributor - $ 50 taking into account the delivery). It is a humane price tag for such a multi-function device.

So what is the sensational "Malinka"?

Appearance and characteristics

Externally, the Raspberry Pi 2 is a small charge a little more than a credit card. Odnoplatnika our brain is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 with a frequency of 900 MHz. Optionally and disperse using a little built-in utility. Furthermore, the board is soldered gigabytes of memory, of which up to 128 MB can be identified for video core.

Video output - HDMI. From the RCA analog, which had in previous versions, the developers abandoned (but not quite: using cable cunning You can display an analog signal on a TV via the old connector 3.5mm). But the board is equipped with four USB slots. Each port is capable of delivering a current of 1.2 A. However, it should be powered from the power supply for this Raspberry 2 A. If this current does not need the power, you can turn on "Malinka" even in an ordinary USB-port 2.5-watt PC (5 × 0.5 A).

On the downside, our model, in contrast to the first generation, is a microSD card slot (once a SD). That flash drive is the primary boot loader and a device for the default entry. Unfortunately, Raspberry Pi 2 does not have a wireless interface, only the Ethernet, although it is possible to insert a Wi-Fi-dongle.

The main thing that distinguishes from conventional computer Raspberry, - availability of additional findings. A lot of them. Due to some of the findings from the latches can be connected camera (CSI) and a display (DSI). Both peripherals will work directly with the graphics core and CPU. And then there are 40 pin GPIO: interface, general purpose IO. It can help you connect everything and change the O assignment on the fly.

By the way, about the scope of delivery. The device is sold in its original box, in which there is more instruction. In addition to standard equipment, is found extended. In it, in addition to the board, instructions and boxes, also includes a set of bolts, acrylic housing, A tiny lens and a cooler. The housing should be replaced, such as such. But get the rest will not be so easy.

Operating systems and software

The main difference Raspberry many more advanced single-board computers, for example with the SATA Cubietruck, became a great support: combed distributions huge the amount of the finished code for your own development, standardized components and a lot of colleagues who are always happy to help in any, even the most difficult or stupid project.

Official Raspberry operating system to a version of Debian - Raspbian. Now there is even a built-in market applications, so that the use of "Raspberries" can not be called difficult. The official website of Raspberry Pi, besides Raspbian, you can download and several other Linux distributions: Debian Wheezy, Ubuntu MATE, Fedora Remix.

Raspbian is a set of a few core applications for the job. Other distributions are more functional, but there is a significant caveat: You can use only with ARM-version. Productivity and product functionality sufficient to Raspberry Pi 2 used as a conventional office computer. Thanks to the excellent video core Pi 2 can be converted into a home media server: chip power is enough to decode 080p video 1. Users can program the two-media center: OpenELEC and OSMC.

Enough PC performance and to emulate the PlayStation 1, using RetroPie. By the way, in his native Raspbian there is a special version Minecraft. A desperate geeks can be useful free version Wolfram Mathematica.

There on the Raspberry Pi 2 and its distribution Windows 10. Unfortunately, this system lacks the graphical interface and allows only a controlled remotely by connecting through PowerShell (not even the command line). Thus it is possible to execute 32-bit applications.

installation of the system

Raspberry for use as a PC, you must connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse and power supply from the microUSB. The memory card slot you want to insert microSD with an established system: the image is downloaded from the official site and mounted on a card with a special utility. You can also use the program NOOBS: It must be downloaded from the official site, pre-formatted card (formal instruction).

After payment you can include. When installing the system via NOOBS installer will appear on the screen asking you to select one of the available operating systems (though to install the image you need to download and put on your memory card). You can install several systems and selected from the boot menu after startup.

Followed by a reboot. At the next time you need to specify that the system should be run in graphical mode.

What to do next

Appointments Raspberry Pi 2 and finished projects do not count. The microcomputer can be made to work with almost any peripherals, display an image anywhere. The following article will try to connect to the Raspberry Pi 2 high digital to analog converter and create a small media center.