Technological innovations occur so often now, we can scarcely keep up with them on our own. Thankfully, one of our friends will, at some point, likely post a YouTube video of something cool so we do not remain in the dark — albeit that video could still be a year after the tech was premiered.

One of the most common to upgrade regularly is the computer. Everyone jokingly says, “As soon as you buy your computer, it is already out of date.” Due to the way tech testing works, that is actually true.

All the main-stream computer companies are regularly finding new ways to condense size or improve speeds in order to slip another Benjamin or two out of our wallets so we remain “cutting edge.”

Sometimes though, a computer company does something with the actual intent of improving lives without an outright desire to become a corporate giant.

Enter Raspberry Pi, a computer designed to be the most inexpensive computer on the market able to run spreadsheets, word processors, video games, high-definition video and other such things. 

Yes, those tasks can be accomplished by any desktop or laptop nowadays, so what is so great about Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a computer with the following measurements: 85.6 millimeters by 56 millimeters by 21 millimeters, with a little overlap for the SD card and connectors that project over the edges. It weighs in at 45grams.

Yep, your math was right, it is roughly the size of an Altoids tin.

However, that does not include a USB keyboard and mouse, an HDMI cable, a Micro-USB cable, a power adapter capable of delivering 5 volts over a Micro-USB cable and an SD Card prepared with a Raspberry Pi OS image; an ethernet cable or adapter is necessary as well if you want to connect to the Internet. But supplying those in not really a problem, considering Raspberry Pi is only $35 and those items are likely already sitting around in your room. 

For the younger generations today, small and portable takes the cake, er, um, pie, and an inexpensive price tag is the cherry, um, raspberry, on top. You can even build or buy whatever carrying case is customized to your tastes to accommodate everything or just the system itself.

What these little computers mean is that with a little technical understanding — a trait more and more common with younger generations and as a basic learning trait in grade school — essentially anyone around the world can have a working computer at their leisure for pennies on the dollar.

Imagine the potential for reductions in E-waste should such small devices become the norm. The terrible effect of second-hand computers in places like Guiyu, China, could be curbed.

The Raspberry Pi allows for anyone to experiment and learn about computers while still having a working system to go about their lives. Being more technically inclined is the norm nowadays if you want to be readily-employable and save money.

The biggest problem with this type of tiny PC is that the technology is developing at an even more breakneck speed than the regular computers most folks have. There are already the Cotton Candy and the MK802 II offering similar, though not as inexpensive competition.

The operating system can be a bit tricky for those not already computer savvy. So at this point Raspberry Pi is not as viable for everyone as it might first seem.

Nevertheless, the potential it opens up for everyone to be able to actually play with and understand how computer hardware and software go together make these mini PCs astounding.

The low cost and applications would be fine additions to every grade school in the country to further children’s education and overall improve the minds and skill sets for everyone.

Even those outside of school could stand to benefit, as becoming more technologically inclined will always assist in career and daily tasks.

This isn’t to say Raspberry Pi is the best out there, but it is commendable due to the company being a charity, and as a marvelous and inexpensive means to better understand computers. 

Tablets might be the flavor of the week now, but they are still not the best that can be done. The mixing of mini PCs and the touch-screen popularity could make for a whole new world of sci-fi-like technological innovations for lower prices.

Who knows where the next line of innovations will take us. Maybe the futures shown in the movies are not so far off in their ideas about advanced societies.

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Gabriel Stoffa is a graduate student in political science from Ottumwa, Iowa.