First Raspberry Pi units delivered to school kids
A school in Leeds has gotten its hands on the first batch of production model Raspberry Pi units to reach the UK, according to reports.
The first batch of Raspberry Pi computers has been delivered. Image credit: Raspberry Pi
Customers that ordered a device from the company should begin to receive the units from 20 April onwards, the BBC added.
The other UK-based distributor of the Raspberry Pi, RS Components, confirmed on Thursday that is has received its first shipment and that it is ready to send out invitations to buy the device to customers who pre-registered interest. The units are currently being manufactured in China.
The ARM-based Linux computer costs just under £32 including VAT and delivery, RS Components said. It has been designed to encourage non-programmers and children to get started with programming.
"We are delighted to have the first batch of fully compliant products in our warehouse and to be able to invite the first wave of customers who registered for a Raspberry Pi to place their orders from this initial stock," Glenn Jarrett, head of electronics marketing at RS Components, said in a statement. "There has been a great deal of anticipation for Raspberry Pi since its launch at the end of February, and it is important that we provide a delivery guarantee to customers when they place their order."
The company said it would take orders for the units in the order that potential customers registered interest on its websites. It added that it would only be sending out invitations to buy a Raspberry Pi when they can guarantee the allocation of a Raspberry Pi from stock. As a result of this, orders are currently limited to one board per customer, although people will be able to buy multiple units at once when full production quantities are available "later in the year".
RS Components did not say exactly when it would begin sending the units out to customers, however, the Raspberry Pi foundation said on Wednesday that it expected partners to begin shipping units to "to those at the front of the queue from the start of next week".