Thanks to you both.
I've now ordered the NP2.
Btw, obviously the book's author has provided some updates of the sample code on his website for the book, as I've found out in the meantime: http://www.gsiot.info/download/ .
I'm looking forward to the delivery of "my" NP2, which I had to order via one of the European distributors mentioned on this site here.
Thanks again.