I think RPis are back

3 points·levinb··4 comments

I was able to get five 8gb models from my favorite supplier. First time I haven't had to snipe one in 18 months.

I was so, so, close to going in on OrangePis and alt-SBCs. No more e-trash.

Let's get back to work!

Not quite all of the way back yet, but it's very, very clear the situation is improving, and markedly so. So far things seem to be tracking very closely with what Eben Upton told us in those last couple of interviews. It's obvious we're near the "tipping point" where supply (and prices) will be back to normal.

That said, this whole experience did motivate me to at least start experimenting with some alternatives. I finally ordered an Orange Pi board, as well as a couple of RISC-V based SBC's to start dipping my toes in that water.

Sadly there is some serious gouging going on from the MSRP of the device. Will need to wait.

Not anywhere near as much as just a few weeks ago, and WAY less than a couple of months ago. You can buy a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 8GB from scalpers on Amazon for right around $100 now. They were going for north of $200 not so long ago.

And it's 100% possible to buy a Pi for MSRP if one is willing to be a little bit patient. Just order from one of the official resellers who takes backorders and then wait. I ordered two from Mouser about two months ago now and they came in early this week. That despite the predicted "in stock date" being October 2023. And the situation should just continue to get better and better over the coming weeks. Unless there is some sort of new, unexpected, supply chain disruption or something weird like that.

I got mine for MSRP, $75. Though I am sure even as things ease there will be resellers marking up.

The fields may not be fertile yet, but rain is on the horizon.

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