The so-called “Raspberry Pi” device is one of the biggest selling single-board computers in the world, and one that has grown to dominate the personal computer market since its launch in 2012.
In fact, this device has sold more than 30 million units in the eight years since, while it has become particularly popular amongst students who want an accessible way to learn about coding and programming in the modern age.
In this post, we’ll look at three key considerations before buying a Raspberry Pi, so that you can make an informed decision before committing your hard-earned cash.
- Using a Raspberry Pi Represents a Significant Time Investment
While the initial process of setting up your Raspberry Pi device may only take a matter of moments, newbies may well find that making use of this technology is relatively time-consuming.
When starting out, it’s certainly very easy to sink endless hours into even relatively simple projects, some of which may not be particularly successful or completely doomed to failure from the outset.
Of course, learning how to code can be a much simpler and more straightforward process, but if you look to use the device to build your own Raspberry Pi server or create unique games, you should be prepared for this to consume far more of your time.
- The Raspberry Pi Won’t Replace Your Desktop
This is another major consideration, as while Raspberry Pi devices are becoming increasingly capacious, they remain ill-equipped to replace your existing desktop device.
Both the Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 models are amongst the fastest and most powerful devices within the range, with the former alone featuring a built-in, 1.2GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 and 1GB or RAM.
This device is also capable of playing 1080p video at 60Hz, making it a viable choice for any DIY media centre in the modern age.
However, attempting to use this device as a desktop replacement would be like stepping back into the early noughties, even though the Raspberry Pi offers huge appeal as a competitively priced option.
- Invest in a Starter Kit
While the $35 price tag may appeal to buyers, you should note that your Raspberry Pi won’t come with a monitor or a viable power source. The Pi 3 model requires at least 2.5A to run smoothly, so you must consider a power adapter as a separate purchase.
You may need to purchase a keyboard and a mouse separately too, although some packages may include these all-important accessories as standard.
With these points in mind, we’d definitely recommend investing in a Raspberry Pi starter kit, even if you have some knowledge of the technology or a device that you connect to at home.
This kit should ideally include components such as GPU, a processor, and USB ports, along with detailed user guides and lessons that enable you to perform specific projects.
