micro:bit go

This is what the Raspberry Pi should have been. I was up and running in seconds, following the very clear instructions. It does something compelling straight out of the box. I loaded Python and there was a full detailed tutorial. I reached this stage in less than 5 minutes and had a programme I had edited running a new message on my MicroBit. Now I am ready to get back into programming. Just like my experience with an Amstrad CPC464 in the early 80s. It is that, I think Raspberry Pi wanted to emulate, but the steep learning curve of a miniature computer really missed the point when I tried it with my (then 15 year old) son. This, however, really does the job. Hooked onto programming in a few minutes with something that does amusing and intriguing things from simple programmes straight out of the box.

I got this to get my youngest excited about coding (he's seven). We've had some great fun with it and have even attached a Snowman (SnowPi RGB, on Kickstarter - great product). I'd thoroughly recommend this to any aspiring coders (or their parents). The BBC website has great support, with both Scratch style coding and Python coding as an option. It's a doddle to get going with, and there's a growing number of accessories. With the second generation model coming out soon, the future is bright for this little computer.

well lit with its 25 leds on the board with simple features. Bluetooth works well with computers when you use Scratch (needs scratch link). Not recommended for tablet use

Wonderful little learning tool to get kids started with coding. Nicely packaged, and this "go" kit includes a battery pack (taking two AAA batteries, which are also included), and a very short USB cable for transferring the programs from your computer. The included instructions are basic, but once you find your way to the micro:bit website, there are plenty of guides to get you going. Overall, very happy with this product. We also have a Raspberry Pi, but this micro:bit has proven to be a much more successful tool in peaking our child's interest in programming. He looks forward to his time with the device and is learning more than we expected.

I bought this for my son who is studying microbits in his first year of high school. I would highly recommend! It has encouraged him to have a go at home and seems easy enough to operate on his own. The bbc website has loads of ideas on how to use it and he has been working his way through these. It has helped his school work massively in IT and given him an interest in coding. Worth every penny!

The microbit is great but the battery pack supplied with this package has no on/off switch to power off. This is a significant missing as the JST plug connection to the board is not intended to be pulled in and out on a routine basis. It's fiddly and only a matter of time before something breaks or a lead comes off. Better to buy the microbit as a stand alone item and purchase a separate 3rd party switched battery pack of which there are several available. I have since bought Kitronic's MI: power board from Amazon supplied by Utronix which is excellent and can't see myself ever using the Micro:bit go's supplied battery pack. I would give the Micro:bit itself 5 stars but the battery pack only 1 star. For this reason only 3 stars for this kit.

Great little device, to introduce young people to a level of computing that will be the basis for our immediate future, as we start to find micro controllers in every thing we own. BBCMGo is very easy to use, does interesting things out of the box, yet has the potential to do many many things with minimal additions. As an old fogey who had to build his own first computer in the 1960s out of transistors and other discrete components, I envy young people discovering the technology at the beginning of another revolution. Its also a lot of fun for me!

The micro:bit is a well designed and thought out educational tool. From the first boot up it shows off some of its capabilities, engages and encourages kids to want to do more with it. I think the bar to start programming on the Micro:bit is significantly lower than on the Pi or Arduino, so it makes a great introduction to programming, with some excellent online tools and tutorials to use. Very pleased with the device and very good value.

This item is wonderful when it comes to teaching the basic hardware and software functions.

Génial ! pourquoi je ne l'ai pas acheté avant. Pour du prototypage tres rapide. Petit léger et quand même bien équipé niveau capteurs. Tout est fourni pour démarrer ! même les piles (facultatif). Pour ma part j'ai programmer une boussole en language block.je me suis tirée un peu les cheveux au debut cosinus,sinus, conversion dégrée en radian sans connaître ce language graphique ça m'a pris quelques heures. Aller je m'en prend un deuxième. Je recommande. Merci si mon avis a été utile.

Gifted to my son and he got going with Tutorials and experiments.

I bought the item as advt and with impression of getting latest V2, they covieneintly forgot to mention that. T?he product is lacking on-board speaker, microphone, etc.

Delivered as promised. All good so far on this product. A word of caution, the interest to use this will fade off, after the initial excitement. But it's a good break on weekends to try out a few programs.