Raspberry Pi 3 Released

[Disparia]

Cool stuff, http://makezine.com/2016/02/28/meet-the-new-raspberry-pi-3/

Just last month I put together a console emulator for a friend using a Pi 2. Good little unit capable of running everything below an N64. Those games are just too choppy, but that might change...

The new Pi 3 is benching around 50% faster and now comes with 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth while staying at $35 and in the same layout as the Pi 2, allowing the use of current cases and other accessories.

 

[micropage7]

just saw it on my FB page
looks pretty promising especially in small package.

 

[cdawall]

My boss is probably dancing somewhere telling everyone how awesome a pi is.

 

[GhostRyder]

Cool stuff, http://makezine.com/2016/02/28/meet-the-new-raspberry-pi-3/

Just last month I put together a console emulator for a friend using a Pi 2. Good little unit capable of running everything below an N64. Those games are just too choppy, but that might change...

The new Pi 3 is benching around 50% faster and now comes with 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth while staying at $35 and in the same layout as the Pi 2, allowing the use of current cases and other accessories.

I know I am so HYPED for a Pi 3!!! Really wanting to order one and set it up as I never felt like getting a Pi 2 so its about time to upgrade.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

The platform is interesting, but I'm not sold on the specifications.

The Pi is generally not the highest end hardware, but it's got excellent community support. It's very low power (originally designed to run off of ubiquitous micro-usb power converters provided when cell phones dropped the proprietary charger BS), but conversely it's not the best performer out there.


What interests me infinitely more is the Odroid C2: http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=G145457216438
You lose the built-in Wifi, blue tooth capability, and you increase the cost by about $5.
You gain a faster processor (2.0 GHz), twice the RAM, a better video processor, and get a 10/100/1000 ethernet port rather than a 10/100 one.


I think the Pi is an excellent way to start out, namely because the community is large enough to have fixes for just about everything. I think the C2 is infinitely more interesting, because it's functionally everything that makes a smart TV "smart," without needing to break the bank. You've got the perfect device for streaming media, or replacing a dozen retro consoles with a single piece of hardware. I've been reluctant on the Pi in the past because it always seemed to compromise something critical for pricing. The Pi 3 would be an excellent reason way to buck that trend but with the C2 available, and wireless USB dongles as cheap and ubiquitous as they are, I think the extra few dollars is easily justifiable.

 

[Disparia]

Oh, that's a very nice one too. I gutted my NES console some years ago with the idea of building an EMU/HTPC box. Still haven't gotten around to it, but when I do, the Odriod is more along the lines of what I want personally since it's specs will better fit my NESputers general-purpose nature.

My friend with the Pi 2 is stoked about the Pi 3 though. Along with the re-use of his case and the great community (with regular RetroPie updates) his scope is limited to playing cart-era console games. If the speed boost and continued improvements in emulators can get him smooth N64 emulation then his needs will be met.


A small shout-out to Transcend: When I started that Pi 2 project I replaced my ancient 21-in-1 card reader with this USB 3.0 SD reader. Only $7 and will take SD and microSD (without an adapter). Been great for reading the cards out of my phone/tablet and of course, when imaging an SD card for the Pi.

Also a shout-out to 8bitdo. I picked up the NES30 Pro for the Pi project and it has worked great.