Raspberry Pi 2 Supports Windows 10 IoT, Gets Cooking with Faster Hardware

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Faster components get baked into Raspberry Pi 2 for the same price

Sequels are rarely as good as or better than the original, though that isn't the case with the Raspberry Pi 2, a faster version of the original with the same tantalizing $35 price tag. This time around, it's been upgraded with a 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU (Broadcom BCM2836 SoC) offering roughly six times better performance compared to the 700MHz ARM11 part (Broadcom BCM2835 SoC) found in the Raspberry Pi Model B+.
The Raspberry Pi 2 also sports twice as much RAM at 1GB of LPDDR2 SDRAM (400MHz) and is completely compatible with the first generation Raspberry Pi. And speaking of compatibility, it can run your typical Linux distros, as well as a special version of Windows 10.
"For the last six months we’ve been working closely with Microsoft to bring the forthcoming Windows 10 to Raspberry Pi 2. Microsoft will have much more to share over the coming months. The Raspberry Pi 2-compatible version of Windows 10 will be available free of charge to makers," the Raspberry Pi Foundation stated in a blog post.
Microsoft expanded its Windows Developer Program for IoT with a version of Windows 10 that will support the Raspberry Pi 2 PC. The Redmond outfit hasn't shared many details about this version of Windows 10, though we know it's aimed at devices that can't run the full OS. According to ZDNet, it's also expected the be built on the new common core (OneCore), share the common Windows 10 Runtime, and be available in the forthcoming unified Windows Store.
This is a potentially big deal for Raspberry Pi and Microsoft alike, and it should lead to broader interest, especially since it retains the same price as its predecesor.
As for the entry-level Model A+ ($20) and Model B+, both will continue to be sold, while those interested in the Raspberry Pi 2 can order one today from element14 and RS Components.
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