Is it still impossible to buy the raspberry pi 0w in quantities greater than 1 unit from most retailers?
@ajroach42 it *is* strange (compared to rest of electronics industry) but there are reasons for it.
RPi foundation themselves suggest you buy the B3 or other models for bulk requirements..
to be fair I've run an older RPi off a burglar alarm accu and a 12V-5V converter from Asda (UK Walmart) and not even seen too much power loss in the conversion (if this was why you wanted to use a SBC for your project such as running on solar power)
It's a cost thing.
For the price of a bare B3, I can have every component of my 0w based project, if I can get the 0w for $10. (That is to say, everything beyond the pi itself runs about $25.)
But I can't get the 0w at that price, so I'm going to be making fewer things, but those things will be more capable.
I'd prefer the cheaper units. I don't need the extra power. Now that I know I'll have to have it, though, I'll find a way to use it.
@ajroach42 the margins (to RPi foundation/resellers) are that low even Farnell and RS in the UK don't sell them!
Also there are warnings that the form factor and other hardware aspects of the 0w could change, it really is made more for younger experimenters (to be fair the RPI Foundation is remaining true to its original intentions, after all industrial/commmercial SBCs were a thing long before the RPi even existed).
@ajroach42 What is it for? How many do you need?
@kelbot Several things, and many!
1) I've talked a lot about building a bunch of federated intranet/BBSs, that communicate via sneakernet and long range radio links. Some of these for that, scattered all over the world.
2) I want to keep one on me all the time, to serve as an application server for my various devices via SSH.
3) Video games!
4) Super basic set top boxes for my friends and family.
5) ... There are more items on my list, but you get the idea.
@ajroach42 @kelbot A Johnny Appleseed adhoc network would be awesome.
@ajroach42
Ok, neat! Well, I will be in KC next month and will likely make my customary trip/s to Microcenter. I could pick up a number of them. Possibly 4, 5, 6?
@kelbot we’ve got a micro center about an hour from here, but I think at the prices they want for multiple units it’d be better for me to just move more slowly and use the b3. I appreciate the offer though.
@ajroach42
Ok. No problem. By having my wife, a friend and a family member or two all check out separately and going twice I could get around 6 at $5 each. I've done this before 😃.
@kelbot that’s a good idea! I’ll give that a shot next time I go to micro center.
It appears the answer is yes.
1 unit - $5
2nd unit - $15
6th unit $20
At those prices, I'm better off getting a B3, or going with a knockoff manufacturer.
I get so frustrated every time I remember this.