Microsoft Debuts a Windows Rival to Raspberry Pi
After acquiring Nokia, Windows is now ready to compete with Raspberry Pi. Two years after $35 microcomputer Raspberry Pi hit the market, Microsoft is getting in on the DIY-PC action with its own version.
The Redmond, Washington tech juggernaut announced on its Windows blog in April that it was working on a dev board specifically for SoC (system on a chip) hardware.
"Creating Windows drivers for SoC platforms poses certain challenges," the blog read. "Unlike PCs, which have PCI slots and/or USB ports, SoC systems such as tablets and clamshells use low-power internal buses that lack standard connectors, plug-and-play support or discovery mechanisms. In addition, they are typically protected by secure boot, and cannot be used for developing and testing third-party drivers."
Sharks Cove, as the dev board is called, is the brainchild of Windows and Intel. It runs Windows and has an Intel Atom processor, usually reserved for mobile devices. Armed with 1GB of RAM, it has the same memory capacity as an iPhone 5S. In comparison, a typical 32-bit PC has 4GB.
Despite Microsoft's claim that a primary feature of the device is its affordability, the board is retailing for $299. Raspberry Pi sells for a fraction of that at a mere $35.
Microsoft defended the higher price in a post on its developer blog:
"That price not only covers the cost of the hardware, but also includes a Windows 8.1 image and the utilities necessary to apply it to the Sharks Cove. When you additionally consider that the Windows Driver Kit 8.1 can pair with Visual Studio Express and are both free with a valid MSDN account, the initial outlay for Windows driver developers is a lot less cost prohibitive than it once was," the post read.
Microsoft said in its April post that it is looking into the possibility of teaming up with other companies besides Intel, but the company has not announced any other official partnerships.
Early adopters can pre-order Sharks Cove here. The official launch date for the dev board is Aug. 7.
The Redmond, Washington tech juggernaut announced on its Windows blog in April that it was working on a dev board specifically for SoC (system on a chip) hardware.
Sharks Cove, as the dev board is called, is the brainchild of Windows and Intel. It runs Windows and has an Intel Atom processor, usually reserved for mobile devices. Armed with 1GB of RAM, it has the same memory capacity as an iPhone 5S. In comparison, a typical 32-bit PC has 4GB.
Despite Microsoft's claim that a primary feature of the device is its affordability, the board is retailing for $299. Raspberry Pi sells for a fraction of that at a mere $35.
Microsoft defended the higher price in a post on its developer blog:
"That price not only covers the cost of the hardware, but also includes a Windows 8.1 image and the utilities necessary to apply it to the Sharks Cove. When you additionally consider that the Windows Driver Kit 8.1 can pair with Visual Studio Express and are both free with a valid MSDN account, the initial outlay for Windows driver developers is a lot less cost prohibitive than it once was," the post read.
Microsoft said in its April post that it is looking into the possibility of teaming up with other companies besides Intel, but the company has not announced any other official partnerships.
Early adopters can pre-order Sharks Cove here. The official launch date for the dev board is Aug. 7.
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