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Product Description
Following the success of the first two versions, and in celebration of the 4th anniversary of the credit-card sized computer, SEEED has released the third generation of the Raspberry Pi. This updated version features an improved 1.2 GHz 6-bit quad-core processor, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Read More
What's up with you Massdrop? The starter kit includes a wifi adapter, which the 3B does not need. You can get a case, hdmi cable, and microSD card for less than $20, and the Pi itself can be found for $25 on another website right now. Even if you need to buy a power adapter or ethernet cable, that would still be way cheaper than this combo.
Here's an incredibly similar kit, with Prime shipping. Amazon ASIN B01C6Q2GSY
and
Here's a 3.5" touch panel. Amazon ASIN B01FXC5ECS
However, you do have a point about the pricing of the units
I just mentioned that the LAST drop included a USB WIFI dongle, even though the Pi 3 has built in WIFI. Here it is again in this drop? Seems redundant and nonsensical to me. Again, all for Pi kits, and even though I'm sitting on a solid 10ish of them I'll never pass up on a good kit deal, but this just isn't a good deal at all. I realize the built in WIFI is just 802.11n and the USB dongle is 802.11b/g/n, but this is still a mostly useless addition for most people buying this.
On a side note, I do have a screen similar to this one on the Pi i have running Pi-Hole. The screen works fairly well for certain types of projects, but using the Pi with just this screen for a lot of things is just very clunky and not a great user experience. Again, for the right projects they are brilliant, but they have a lot of limitations.
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I would recommend a kit like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raspberry-Pi-3-Model-B-Starter-Media-Center-BT-Premium-Ultimate-Kit-B-C-/231873270988?var=&hash=item35fcb954cc:m:mIZDeBi4vrGIEweeGU7zGfg
It still comes with a power supply, a 16g card with NOOBS, and a case and HDMI cable, but also includes a case fan, 2 heat sinks. When using a PI 3 for a RetroPie built or one that will be under heavy load/use, having the heat sinks and case fan really do help.
I do like the power cable in the MD kit, it is a convenient addition, and for some the USB to TTL cable may come in handy, but really I would just like to see a better curated kit, or different types of kits specifically curated for certain uses. Having a kit with a more specific use helps the included items all be necessary for everyone and thus maximises the pricing and usefulness of the kit.
Agreed. I've also heard Windows 10 IoT Core doesn't support onboard wifi. For me though, I only keep coming back to see if they've finally changed the drop contents. I'm still waiting for them to drop the damn NOOBS card; I've got microSD cards to spare and NOOBS cards are inherently more expensive than blank ones just because they have to be flashed by a paid worker.
Honestly I'd rather a nice drop with just the Pi, official case, blank card, decent quality cables, optional retro controllers. Like you said, most people with a specific purpose in mind will just source parts themselves because this kit will either not have everything (and as is pointed out above is more expensive...) or has extraneous parts. I just say add optional retro controllers because those are regularly being dropped individually, so I don't imagine it would be hard to add them to another drop.
JackWitherellYeah, I mean the wifi they are including is only a couple of bucks, but there isn't much point to including it. Realistically, it would be a much better choice to include an antenna jack onboard of the Pi (The jack alone won't increase the gain of the wifi system on board and will still comply with FCC standards, yet allow the consumer to make their choice on what to do with it).
Why would they include a WiFi adapter in this? The Pi 3b has BUILT-IN WIFI!!! And there's a Ethernet cable included as well? Pick one and stick to it! And only a 16 GB MicroSD card? And no fan? And a 5V/2.1A PSU? For a Pi 3b you want/need a 2.5A PSU.
I could buy every item in this drop (minus the unneeded WiFi adapter, but with a 32 GB MicroSD card, a proper 5V/2.5A PSU, and a fan) individually for less than $60. (Actually, I did just buy TWO of everything in here for around $115, after taxes and shipping, last week, lol)
This is a straight-up rip-off.
edaleI agree! First thing I thought when I looked at it was "Why are you including a WiFi dongle with a RPi 3?" This drop has been poorly designed and the price points are too high. I would be surprised if anyone joins ... and hopefully they will read the discussion threads first.
Data rate is not a priority for me, I just want to at least have a network with it in the 5 GHz band with a nice low latency. I don't think USB 2.0 makes the 5 GHz band impossible, just not the best performance. I also have some devices that just run better on AC type network in the higher frequency bands.
This thing you suggested is not only unavailable but also probably around $200 and requiring more parts to put to use properly, putting it outside my price range as well...
I'm not looking for a whole mini-PC, nor do I want some cheap RP 3 alternative from china like the Orange Pi
Although, for other reasons I think you are right. USB 2 is Half-duplex vs. USB 3 which is full-duplex. This makes USB 2 not very ideal at all for any kind of adapter
ReechRight? There is no point to the wireless usb dongle. It's an added cost for no reason.
Maita
Apr 7, 2017
RedSoul001Early on there were a lot of reports that Windows 10 IoT Core couldn't use onboard wifi; the contents of the drop haven't changed since then. I've watched every single time the drop has come up hoping it would... but nope.
I don't understand why this is a DEAL. Can someone explain? I didn't even have to look very hard to see all of this is cheaper, ships faster, and considerably better packaging options on Amazon. Like really, can someone tell me why I would pay $65.99 Plus shipping than pay $49.99 on Amazon and no shipping (prime account) and leave out the useless stuff?
This is not a good drop. We should all be very disappointed in massdrop for pedaling this perfect example of a rip-off. First, the description is misleading, the Raspberry Pi is developed and distributed by the Raspberry Pi foundation to offer affordable, educational tools. SEEED has taken advantage of this and thrown together a poorly assembled "Kit" based around the Raspberry Pi. Save yourself some money and do not by this or support SEEED. Raspberry Pis are fantastic, and you can find better kits for less.