The BBC-backed micro:bit computer is now available to pre-order from selected distributors, including project partner Kitronik.

Hundreds of thousands of the devices have already been handed out free of charge to every year 7 student in England and Wales, year 8 student in Northern Ireland and S1 student in Scotland in a bid to boost coding and programming knowledge.

Now the BBC and its partners are ready to release the pocket computer through retailers, allowing siblings, parents and computer hobbyists to learn how to code their own device.

“We are already seeing all manner of projects being created by students up and down the country and there is undoubted enthusiasm for the device as a tool to support coding and integrated projects,” commented Kevin Spurr, Co-Founder and Director of Kitronik.

“As predicted, the value of the BBC micro:bit in facilitating the teaching of topics related to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda is proving strong and, with its wider availability, we’re looking forward to seeing the projects created by older, and indeed younger, children once the BBC micro:bit is introduced to different age groups.

“We’re also watching with interest to see how the maker community utilises it in their work.”

In addition to the core device, Kitronik offers a number of add-on products including an inventors kit – previously reviewed – and a new power board which enables the micro:bit to be powered via a coin cell battery, making it much more portable and perfect for wearable tech projects. 

The BBC micro:bit will be available from Kitronik at £10.82 (ex VAT).