Ras Pi foundation announces a new product: the compute module.
The compute module contains the guts of a Raspberry Pi (the BCM2835 processor and 512Mbyte of RAM) as well as a 4Gbyte eMMC Flash device (which is the equivalent of the SD card in the Pi). This is all integrated on to a small 67.6x30mm board which fits into a standard DDR2 SODIMM connector (the same type of connector as used for laptop memory). The Flash memory is connected directly to the processor on the board, but the remaining processor interfaces are available to the user via the connector pins.
While not yet what I imagined by only the name i.e a unit to build a shoebox-sized Beowolf cluster of 1K-RasPi-cores the new form factor and pin-out should make this endeavour easier (ahem... for someone skilled in PCB design, EE practician, and a soldering-fu master that has achieved enlightenment... not quite my profile).
(Score: 1) by tftp on Thursday April 10 2014, @02:53AM
Yes, it would. As James says, you'll need to design your own PCB, though.
I used those connectors before, and their footprint is in the CAD. It would cost me about 1 hour to produce Gerbers. A few more if you want additional breakout connectors. The catch is in cost, though. Even if the design is free, the manufacturing of the PCB won't be. As a bare minimum you are looking at $66/each (in small quantity) or about $25 each in quantity 25-50. Cheaper boards can be had only in even higher volume, in China. It remains to be seen if the same PCB can satisfy enough people. They may be better off with the original R-Pi that already has all the connectors, even if from all sides of the board.
However if someone is interested in a design that would be of use for many (such as an outdoor, zero-lux HD camera that can be assembled under $100) then it's very much possible. It's a trivial breakout board for anyone who ever made a PCB.