RPi with 512mb Memory?

Since element14 is at the point where it has neither a large

backlog of orders, nor a large inventory of completed boards,

this would be the ideal time to offer a 512MB version, since

there would be no worries about large numbers of customers

cancelling existing orders, or about warehouses full of completed

boards becoming unsellable.

> In any case, I'll be nice to Rob :-)

Can you make any sense out of Liz's request that you "be nice"?

The "journalist" used the exact same words.

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.

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.

coder27 wrote:

 

> In any case, I'll be nice to Rob :-)

 

Can you make any sense out of Liz's request that you "be nice"?

The "journalist" used the exact same words.

I'm not a mind-reader, but I suspect someone might not have been amused by the Kate Beaton cartoon, the Apocalypse Now reference, or commenting on choice of adverbs.  I doubt the Green for Danger reference ruffled feathers as it's a pretty obscure movie -- at least in the USA.  Maybe it's frequently shown on British TV.

I try to be careful not to make personal attacks, and our soi-disant journalist didn't call me out by name.  However, IMO the words and actions of leaders of any community should be subject to review by the community, and if community members feel that leaders are saying or doing things that are not in the community's best interest they should be able to comment accordingly.  I think Liz's suggestion that one shouldn't write anything one wouldn't say face-to-face is a good standard.

IMO satire can add perspective, but not everyone has cultivated a sense of humor, and humor varies between people and cultures.  Also, a sense of humor may be suppressed by overwork and/or having to deal with trolls and nutjobs on a regular basis.  So I try to be nice.

> our soi-disant journalist didn't call me out by name

It seems a bit incongruous that the "journalist", who claimed not to have

missed any subtleties, didn't call you out by name on this forum,

but on the rpi.org forum you are called out by name by someone who

claims "our skins are so thick we are pachydermous."

https://twitter.com/Raspberry_Pi/status/241583069038010368

What casued this mistake in the first place?

The link does not work any more - as it shouldn't.  So all seems to be resolved.

> What caused this mistake in the first place?

Depends what you consider the mistake to be, announcing a product you

don't have, or not having a product you're announcing.

In any case, I don't think the wait will be too much longer.