Mini 2?

Is there a time table on when a new version of the Mini might/will be available or future production run of the current? I am having trouble finding Minis, I bought the last two from Mouser last month and I know I will need more in the future as the product is still in prototyping/development. The build requires 3+ Minis depending on requirements of client. The size and capabilities of the Mini are a huge influence/requirement. I know there are other .Net platforms around the same size, I would prefer to use a Secret Labs (Netduino) product.

If anyone has input on the other devices not made by Secret Labs, as I have not ventured using them, please let me know your thoughts about them.

Thanks for the input,

IdleGoose

I did some Google searches; this is what I found.

• Amazon.com is currently showing 5 in stock.  See here.
• Solarbotics (a Canadian reseller) indicates that the Netduino Mini has been discontinued.

You will likely know that this product uses the Atmel AT91SAM7X512 microcontroller chip (early Netduino products) versus the ST Micro STM32F series (current Netduino products).  The current microcontroller is 3.5x faster than the Atmel and with a lot more RAM & ROM.  Depending on your requirements this may not actually be an issue.

My thoughts (I do not claim to know any more than anybody else on this subject; do not take anything I say as a given):

• My perception is that this form factor is dead (at least as a Secret Labs product); the focus has shifted in other directions
• I would not standardize on this product

Hopefully other people will comment also and you can form your opinion on more of a consensus basis.

Thank you TechnoGuy for your input. Why do you believe the form factor of the Mini is dead?

The smaller size of the Mini inherently comes with limitations when compared to the 2,2+,3, etc... I am using the Minis for trivial operations that a larger (Netduino 2, 2+,3) board will just be physically in the way, as the clearance is not much bigger than the Mini. The best analogy I can come up with at the moment is having a Michelin 3 star restaurant making a PBJ (i'll leave the 5 stars for the desktops)... it would probably be the best PBJ ever but the price and overhead is just a tad too much, plus the kitchen is too big to fit in,... say a picnic basket?! I hope this helps clarify my reason for the OP.

Please see this post, which contains comments made by Chris Walker (Secret Labs):

What is the latest firmware version for Netduino 1

In his comments he talks about Netduino Mini as being "Generation 1 Hardware" and how it's 5 years old now.

He talks about there not being enough space on the older models to support current features.  It's pretty clear.

I can't predict whether there will be another Netduino Mini.  I can say it's a bit of an oddball product in the current offerings and it doesn't seem likely to me.

Please see this post, which contains comments made by Chris Walker (Secret Labs):

 

What is the latest firmware version for Netduino 1

 

In his comments he talks about Netduino Mini as being "Generation 1 Hardware" and how it's 5 years old now.

 

He talks about there not being enough space on the older models to support current features.  It's pretty clear.

 

I can't predict whether there will be another Netduino Mini.  I can say it's a bit of an oddball product in the current offerings and it doesn't seem likely to me.

I can't speak for Chris, but technically, and unless its said here in this list, don't consider the device discontinued. Yes it doesn't support the latest firmware, but are you doing something that needs those features? I'm not.

Some folks really love the mini, so we keep it as an active product. We can't get the latest and great firmware on that little guy...but they're still an active inventory item.

[Ask me in a year, and perhaps we'll have a next-gen Mini on the horizon...but we're happy to take care of you today with your Netduino Mini needs.]

We love the Mini too

Chris

And there you go. 

Chris what's with that trio outside your offices complaining that they are lost?

Some folks really love the mini, so we keep it as an active product. We can't get the latest and great firmware on that little guy...but they're still an active inventory item.

[Ask me in a year, and perhaps we'll have a next-gen Mini on the horizon...but we're happy to take care of you today with your Netduino Mini needs.]

We love the Mini too

Chris

Hey Chris. It's been a year, is there a new mini product on the horizon?

It's been over a year since Chris logged on.

Mind you, we have a new administrator apparently, lamebrain, who joined Nov 7 2016.  Maybe they can tell us what is going on.

Cheers,

Mark

We do?

Perhaps this person can also confirm as to the whereabouts of the Wiki.