Raspberry Pi brings AirPlay video streaming for $25, preorder now

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2v6FOji3lq8#!]

While the real goal of Raspberry Pi is to provide inexpensive and programmable hardware to all, it turns out the company’s $25 and $35 units also make for a low-cost AirPlay solution for iPad. Even better—you can now preorder the $35 model B with the first batch expected to arrive from manufacturing abroad shortly. An official launch is set for later this year. The company recently posted a demo of AirPlay streaming through Raspberry Pi (above). Unfortunately, the company appears to have run its site off a Raspberry Pi server, and it is now down due to preorder demand.

In case you are unfamiliar, the Linux-based Raspberry Pi is an affordable, uncased computer (sold without a monitor or keyboard). The higher-end Model B packs an ARM11 700MHz processor; graphics chip capable of 1080p video playback, 2 USB ports, composite RCA and HDMI outputs, and 265MB of RAM. The less expensive Model A does not include an Ethernet port and only has one USB port. This comes less than a week before Apple is expected to introduce a new Apple TV alongside the next-generation iPad unveiling. Likely to keep the $99 price tag of the current generation Apple TV, the device is rumored to sport a better processor and support for 1080p video streaming. You can preorder the Raspberry Pi (if you can get through), or wait until next week to find out what Apple has in store.