Raspberry Pi interview: Eben Upton reveals all (Linux User)

I am reading messages on the GTA04 list, but I'm not subscribed. Certainly, the progress being made all round is very encouraging, but the availability of a usable case seems to be something of a breakthrough: if the initiative could widen its audience beyond existing GTA02 owners by offering complete devices, it would probably change the perception of the project for much of the potential audience from not being of direct interest - purely because most people are not technically eligible to participate - to something suddenly worth buying.

I think a lot of people are hesitant to put down good money for something that they aren't sure they will be able to use. If people could buy something that serves their basic needs, a lot of the exciting stuff could be added later. Indeed, most people would probably be tempted to get involved purely to do the exciting stuff, not getting the device to make calls and stay on the network and other supposedly less exciting things.

I would love to pre-preorder one of these, but they're simply to expensive.

Now THAT is customization. I love the idea of tweaking a cadfile and printing my own case on Shapeways. Suck it iPhone laser engraving! :)

In my experience, 3D printing is stout where the walls are thick enough but thin stuff like clip tabs and flanges just break off. Most prototypes I've played with have been rather heavy and screwed together.

Any idea on how these cases will stand up in the real world?