“Adoption of Raspberry Pi computing devices is expanding at a faster rate than the PC.
The company has also worked with the developer of BerryBoots, a free piece of software that allows users to run multiple operating systems, to create a special version for the PiDrive that lets users select which OS they want when the Raspberry Pi is switched on. This, it says, minimises energy use without affecting the data rate on a USB connection. WDLabs, the division of Western Digital responsible for the hard drive, says the latest device is designed to be easy to integrate with all versions of the Raspberry Pi and that its magnetic recording systems and electrical systems optimised with those of the computer. The storage firm has released optimised drives for Raspberry Pi before, including a 1TB HDD, but hopes the WD PiDrive 314GB, the capacity of which and the launch day (Pi day) are no coincidence, will make it cheaper and more efficient for users to indulge in data-hungry projects. The PiDrive kit comes with NOOB, Raspbian PIXEL and Raspbian Light on a microSD card, and a custom USB-based Pi-to-HDD cable.Western Digital is releasing a new, more affordable hard drive for the Raspberry Pi, promising the unit is designed to maximise the power efficiency and reliability of the credit-card sized computer. You can also get a PiDrive kit without the mouse, keyboard, etc., for as little as $16 (64GB Flash version) up to $38 for a 375GB HDD version. For just over US$100, you get a 375GB WD HDD, a Raspberry Pi 3 (Model B), a microSD card pre-loaded with the NOOB software, a mouse, keyboard, USB cables, power adapter, and a black plastic case to hold the system. I love the idea of a custom-engineered (for greater power efficiency) hard drive formatted with a bunch of bootable project partisans so that you can easily switch between project spaces. The PiDrive does look like a great way for the every-maker, especially those who might be a little intimated by command-line computing, to have an out-of-box solution at a dirt-cheap price. So this is basically advertorial content, but I’ve been curious about the PiDrive since it was announced and think this video does a good job of explaining the system and basic Pi-based computing in general.
Donald’s channel is sponsored by Western Digital and the video is of him unboxing and setting up their turn-key PiDrive Compute Center (just add monitor). Make: pal and former staffer, Donald Bell, has a new tutorial on his Maker Project Lab YouTube channel showing how relatively easy it is to get a full-blown Raspberry Pi computer system up and running. Graphics and More to Help Spread the Word Learn More About the Amazing Maker Awards Subscribe to the premier DIY magazine todayĬommunity access, print, and digital Magazine, and moreīrowse and Vote on Your Favorite Projects Skill builder, project tutorials, and more Get hands-on with kits, books, and more from the Maker Shed