Re: Note : Pi 2 Zero W Now RIP-OFF Price on Amazon

On 8/6/26 05:12, s|b wrote:
> On Wed, 5 Aug 2026 19:49:58 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> 
>> PSUs are generic
>> But Pi zeros are unobtanium right now, except at silly money
>>
>> I can wait. I think I have a spare one somewhere
> 
> 'unobtanium', I love it when I learn a new word/expression. If I could
> only remember it, so I can use it myself some day. (-:
> 
> I did a quick search yesterday and found 2 Dutch and 2 Belgian stores
> that still had them in stock for under 20 euro. But those were Zero W,
> not Zero 2 W. I didn't check if they shipped internationally, probably
> not, so they're of no use to many people here.

   I managed to score two of them, 2Ws, but the price
   went up $25 USD between buying the first and second -
   just a few weeks diff.

   Don't even see the one with the pre-soldered pins
   anymore. The more expensive one CAME with pins, but
   you have to solder them on yourself.

   Today - "CanaKit" Pi5 at $259. Was less than half
   that 18 months ago. "Kit" (box + a few options)
   from various makers running $354 to $209. The
   higher RAM versions seem especially affected
   since basically all memory-makers shifted
   production to "AI"-friendly stuff.

   How are we supposed to use "AI" when we can't
   even afford, FIND, laptops and such because
   there's no damned MEMORY ???

   The tariff shit is PARTIALLY responsible, but
   frankly the "AI" angle seems even WORSE.

   Two years ago I was able to buy complete mini-box
   PCs (BeeLink, BMax) for $250 and they had good
   specs. Have several in various roles. But NOW ...

   Note PI4 kits ... which in some respects I like
   better (max speed and gizmos ain't everything) ...
   are about $100 less. So, if you want PI, consider
   the 4s right now. They're good enough to stream
   2k, sometimes 4k, video.

   "Bare" - Amazon has a an 2gb Pi4 for $86. Alas
   the 4gb are hardly seen and 8gb ones not at all.

   Folks, this is A PROBLEM.