Raspberry Pi, the pocket-sized computer that developers claim will operate as a fully fictional desktop PC, finally went on sale Wednesday, the BBC reported.

The miniature device, which was initially set to hit shelves in January, can be bought online and will cost as low as $35. A cheaper $25 model, with half the size of RAM at 128MB, will turn up later this year, the report said. The Pi, which looks just like any ordinary circuit board, will need to hook up to a television screen to function as a computer.

Creators from the UK-based non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation, hope that the device will serve as cost-effective way to teach programming skills to students.

The organisation's website said that the launch will first be aimed at software and hardware enthusiasts, makers, teachers and others who want to build exciting things with the Raspberry Pi before the official educational launch, which will happen later in 2012.

It has been six years in the making; the number of things that had to go right for this to happen is enormous. I couldn't be more pleased, Eben Upton from the foundation said in a statement, BBC reported.

According to the latest reports from CNET, massive demand for the super-affordable computer has caused heavy traffic flow for the two UK-based retailers, from where the computers can be bought. The report also went on to say that one of the retailers, Farnell, has already run out of stock. The other retailer, RS Components, is said to be placing orders only for interested buyers.

The Raspberry Website, as of now, has changed its site to a static page but is said to resume once traffic levels decline.

The Linux-based system, which runs on ARM processors, is said to be powerful enough to feature high-definition video as well as withstand intense gaming. The device is said to also include a Wi-Fi connection through which users can access the Internet.