Raspberry Pi lite goes on sale

A new lite version of the Raspberry Pi has been released for $25 (£16).

The Model A is a stripped-down version of the Model B Raspberry Pi, which launched late last year, with no Ethernet, one USB port and 256MB RAM.

Model A will only be available in Europe for now, and can be purchase from suppliers RS Components and Farnell. This restriction is due to be lift soon so the rest of the world can order it too.

As well as being ten dollars cheaper than the Model B, at $25, the Model A consumes roughly a third of the power of the B, which is useful for those wanting to run projects from a battery or solar power, such as robots, sensor platforms, Wi-Fi repeaters and so on. The Raspberry Pi Foundation is already working on software to get its power consumption even lower.

RS customers outside Europe (Allied in the US) can order a Model A now, but there will be a short delay in processing orders, while paperwork is sorted before the Pis can be shipped. Farnell customers outside Europe (Newark in the US) will see Model A appear on their local sites when this paperwork has been filled.

The microcomputer is getting its general roll out this year, following a well-received reception from early adaptors.

Raspberry Pi can be purchased here.