# The Spark Gap - Episode 15

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-09-24
- Length: 43m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-15

## Summary

Speakers Carl and Corey discuss the history and technical evolution of the Raspberry Pi, focusing on the original Model B's hardware flaws and the foundation's educational mission. They analyze specific engineering failures, including the lack of mounting holes, inefficient LDO power regulation, and flaky USB ports, which forced users to rely on powered hubs. The conversation contrasts the early 'minimum viable product' approach with later revisions like the B Plus and Compute Module, while debating the value of open-source hardware versus proprietary control in the single-board computer market.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=0) Introduction: Raspberry Pi Overview and History
- [3:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=201) Personal Usage and Setup Challenges
- [6:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=378) Hardware Flaws of the Original Model B
- [14:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=880) Open Source Hardware and Documentation Issues
- [21:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=1281) Market Dynamics and Clones like Odroid
- [35:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15#t=2141) Single Board Computers vs. Custom Embedded Design

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Broadcom (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Odroid (product)
- Beagle Bone Black (product)
- Texas Instruments (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Grumpy Collaboration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-10-25-grumpy-collaboration) (The Amp Hour)
- [B Plus Boards and D Minus Cities - Uneath Urban Ubication](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-07-16-b-plus-boards-and-d-minus-cities-uneath-urban-ubication) (The Amp Hour)
- [The episode formerly known as ℔](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-08-24-the-episode-formerly-known-as) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Ep023: Everything Breaks... Raspberry Pi, ADS-B, Hackaday Website, and Automotive Airbags](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-06-14-ep023-everything-breaks-raspberry-pi-ads-b-hackaday-website-and-automotive-airba) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Electromaker Interview: Eben Upton - Raspberry Pi creator!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-05-electromaker-interview-eben-upton-raspberry-pi-creator) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-09-24-the-spark-gap-episode-15. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.