RPi with 512mb Memory?

Hi

I just wanted to update all of our forum members who have joined the discussion on the 512MB Raspberry Pi today.

As you know there has always been talk of increasing the RAM size on the Model B and we had this part created (but hidden) on our system a little while ago as part of the initial  product roadmap. I must stress that the part should have remained inactive but a flag was removed in error from the part last Friday which caused the part to be visible, in error, on our web site in a number of countries globally today.

The part is now removed from most of our sites and will be finally removed from all sites by around 10.30 UK time this evening and in the meantime the part has been made “un-orderable” on the sites where it is still visible (i.e. our UK site).

I apologise for any confusion this error has caused

Best regards

Mike Buffham

Director of Product & Supplier Management

element14 (Europe)

Mike,

   Is element14 prevented by contract from selling a 512MB version of the RPI?

Is element14 prevented by contract from discussing possible upgrades such

as 512MB, including the desirability and costs of such upgrades?

I think a lot of folks here would welcome some 2-way discussions.

Mike,

   Is element14 prevented by contract from selling a 512MB version of the RPI?

Is element14 prevented by contract from discussing possible upgrades such

as 512MB, including the desirability and costs of such upgrades?

I think a lot of folks here would welcome some 2-way discussions.

Hi Coder27

Obviously I cannot discuss the details of our contract with the foundation but we do of course fully understand the desire for demand for discussion on future upgrades.

We know there was a lot of talk about a 512MB version earlier this year but as you can appreciate the current focus has to remain on the 256MB board which we are currently producing in volume.

We will of course announce any new boards when they happen through this forum

I hope this help (a little) and I appreciate your earlier posts on this subject

Thanks

Mike

Mike,

  Thanks for the reply.

You wrote:

> but as you can appreciate the current focus has to remain on the 256MB board

Actually, I don't understand at all why you aren't producing 512MB boards, and

would welcome any explanation you can give.  If the 512MB parts simply aren't

available in sufficient quantity, or at reasonable cost, then I could understand that.

But I don't think that's the case. 

If the 512MB parts would create a logistical nightmare, then I could understand

that.  But I don't think that's the case either.

If 256MB was plenty to run Android 4.0, or Minecraft, or multi-tabbed browsing,

then I could understand that.  But I don't think that's the case either.

Given that there appears to be limitations on the quantity of SoC available,

I would think you would want to maximize your profits on each SoC, and I expect

that a 512MB version would be much more profitable than the 256MB version.