Doesn’t sound like the ‘cheap small computer you can run your hobby electronics project on’ that the original Pi used to be. It is not as cheap and a power hungry beast, still small, though. More and more like a PC and less and less a small cheap embedded platform. For some people it is a plus (I guess for most people here), for some not so much.
I tend to build my projects on Raspberry Pi Pico now, but sometimes I would need something more powerful and Raspberry Pi 5 will be too much.
The project goal has never been a ‘cheap small computer you can run your hobby electronics project on’. The whole point of the project is to build a small cheap PC to give away to school children to increase computer literacy, while making it attractive enough for normal people to buy to fund the charity side
I just noticed on rpilocator that there are a couple US sellers who have RPi4-1GB boards in stock for $35. I might have to try and snag one since my Kodi device has been acting up lately.
I’m agreeing with them. By the time you buy the Pi 5, and all the add-ons you need, it’s going to rival these SFF systems with full x86 Intel chips with efficiency cores.
You’re right, if there’s no need of GPIO.
For example I’m using a Fujitsu Futro S720 that I’ve bought for about 30/40€ and it consumes about 4W idle and 10/15W maximum (I don’t really remember).
My point of view is like yours: those boards are not good for self hosting, are good for IoT, digital signage and…mmm…I don’t know what else.
Doesn’t sound like the ‘cheap small computer you can run your hobby electronics project on’ that the original Pi used to be. It is not as cheap and a power hungry beast, still small, though. More and more like a PC and less and less a small cheap embedded platform. For some people it is a plus (I guess for most people here), for some not so much.
I tend to build my projects on Raspberry Pi Pico now, but sometimes I would need something more powerful and Raspberry Pi 5 will be too much.
The project goal has never been a ‘cheap small computer you can run your hobby electronics project on’. The whole point of the project is to build a small cheap PC to give away to school children to increase computer literacy, while making it attractive enough for normal people to buy to fund the charity side
So the current benefit is: it’s small? At which point run tablets. :)
Tablets don’t have gpios tho
and are annoying/impossible to use a more server oriented OS on
Isn’t the Pi 3B still available for that kind of job?
If you can find a new one. They are $45+ on ebay used. None of the usual US sellers has any.
I just noticed on rpilocator that there are a couple US sellers who have RPi4-1GB boards in stock for $35. I might have to try and snag one since my Kodi device has been acting up lately.
But there already is a device that answer that specific need, so it wouldn’t make sense for the Raspberry 5 to replace it.
Not that easily and cheaply as they used to be.
And the 4B
Right now getting compute modules is the hard part. When the inevitable CM5 comes out…
I’m not sure I’d call 5 watts “power hungry.”
Zero and zero 2 have decent stock anymore.
They don’t have Ethernet port :( Do they support full OS?
Pi zero W has WiFi, alternatively there are hats available. And yes they can run a full Rasbian OS.
I’ve used pine64 boards for this. They have a few more options and are always available.
You can buy beelink small form factor pcs from Amazon for around $150 with cases and power supplies included.
But…he said that it’s not as cheap as it used to be and too power hungry and you propose an 150$ PC?
I’m agreeing with them. By the time you buy the Pi 5, and all the add-ons you need, it’s going to rival these SFF systems with full x86 Intel chips with efficiency cores.
Well, yes if you need “all the add-ons”.
Case, cooler, power supply, storage at minimum, dongle/adapters probably too.
I meant IF you need all the add-ons, otherwise the price gap is huge
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You’re right, if there’s no need of GPIO. For example I’m using a Fujitsu Futro S720 that I’ve bought for about 30/40€ and it consumes about 4W idle and 10/15W maximum (I don’t really remember). My point of view is like yours: those boards are not good for self hosting, are good for IoT, digital signage and…mmm…I don’t know what else.
This is what I ended up doing last year and it’s been great.
I think they still make the older ones if you want something middle-of-the-road.
Yes, the numbers on a Pi aren’t referring to a “version” like with the iPhone, but to it’s power. A Pi Zero isn’t the oldest, it’s the simplest.