4 ms·

I am not referring to the current environment, from what I remember of the last few years, Pi parts have not been consistently available. Or am I misrepresentin

by pyb 5y ago

I am not referring to the current environment, from what I remember of the last few years, Pi parts have not been consistently available. Or am I misrepresenting?

geerlingguy 5y ago
Until late 2020, maybe early 2021, I could always find the Pi model I needed from _somewhere_. And usually the local Micro Center had at least partial inventory of all the range of Pi models. Even midway into 2021, I could find at least a couple of each model at Micro Center, and more than half the SKUs would be in stock at most online retailers. As 2021 progressed, though, it became impossible to even find the less popular varieties in stock, to the point I haven't seen a Pi 4, CM3+, or CM4 in stock at my local Micro Center since September. I'm glad I picked up a couple spares and placed orders for a few 8GB modules in January—otherwise I'd still be waiting indefinitely. Pis are only one of many devices that are basically screwed by supply chain issues this year. Eben Upton mentioned that they're producing more than ever this year, but they've sold through and are still going to be fighting supply issues until 2023 [1]. [1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/20/raspberry_pi_supply_eben_upton_interview/ https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/20/raspberry_pi_supply_e...
- pyb 5y ago
  But, beyond the short term, what do you reckon of the availability over the last 5 years?
  - geerlingguy 5y ago
    Over the last 5 years, availability was often spotty for the quarter or two post-launch, but stock always caught up. In fact, I remember in late 2020, the Micro Center near me had an end cap with over 100 Pi Zero W's hanging on it, a bunch of Pi 3 B+s below, about 30 Pi 4 model B's in a case (you had to ask for them), and about 25 CM3+'s on a shelf. Those were heady times; the pandemic (demand for hobby computers spiking) then the parts shortage were a 1-2 punch and now it seems only the Pi 400 can be reliably found in stock, along with some expensive kits that bundle a ton of things with the Pi 3 B+ or Pi 4.

by pyb 5y ago

I am not referring to the current environment, from what I remember of the last few years, Pi parts have not been consistently available. Or am I misrepresenting?

geerlingguy 5y ago

Until late 2020, maybe early 2021, I could always find the Pi model I needed from _somewhere_. And usually the local Micro Center had at least partial inventory of all the range of Pi models. Even midway into 2021, I could find at least a couple of each model at Micro Center, and more than half the SKUs would be in stock at most online retailers. As 2021 progressed, though, it became impossible to even find the less popular varieties in stock, to the point I haven't seen a Pi 4, CM3+, or CM4 in stock at my local Micro Center since September. I'm glad I picked up a couple spares and placed orders for a few 8GB modules in January—otherwise I'd still be waiting indefinitely. Pis are only one of many devices that are basically screwed by supply chain issues this year. Eben Upton mentioned that they're producing more than ever this year, but they've sold through and are still going to be fighting supply issues until 2023 [1]. [1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/20/raspberry_pi_supply_eben_upton_interview/ https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/20/raspberry_pi_supply_e...

pyb 5y ago
But, beyond the short term, what do you reckon of the availability over the last 5 years?
- geerlingguy 5y ago
  Over the last 5 years, availability was often spotty for the quarter or two post-launch, but stock always caught up. In fact, I remember in late 2020, the Micro Center near me had an end cap with over 100 Pi Zero W's hanging on it, a bunch of Pi 3 B+s below, about 30 Pi 4 model B's in a case (you had to ask for them), and about 25 CM3+'s on a shelf. Those were heady times; the pandemic (demand for hobby computers spiking) then the parts shortage were a 1-2 punch and now it seems only the Pi 400 can be reliably found in stock, along with some expensive kits that bundle a ton of things with the Pi 3 B+ or Pi 4.