The big bids are just cashing in on the hype that has been build up over this.

I'm also eager to get one, but I think it's at least an year until it will be in a usable state as a product.

This would be a perfect in-laws replacement computer. With some Linux and Chrome on it, it would make a decent browsing computer. This is basically the price-point I would expect for a Chromebook box. Just add the old peripherals and you're done.

Right now though it seems to target more of an Arduino enthusiast.

After it gets a proper box and some official OS support (say, some Ubuntu Raspberry Pi edition) it might have a chance to go mainstream.

Speaking of mainstream, Flash might be a bit of a problem.