I liked SBCs when they were more like $35, but the price is now out of control for what they offer. I will probably just get used mini PCs instead if I ever need something similar. I’ll be able to replace RAM, SSD, and potentially even the CPU. I’ll get a case and PSU with the base price.
What does the Pi even offer over the low wattage mini PCs now? I don’t need a whole Linux to run a few GPIOs, I could buy ESP32 things for a few dollars each. The only benefit is the small size and being able to run off the ubiquitous USB wall plugs.
rmuk@feddit.uk 5 months ago
I honestly tell people not to buy a RasPi unless they really need the specific hardware form factor (GPIO, etc). For virtually every application, a second-hand USFF PC is cheaper and more powerful, has better I/O and comes with a quality PSU.
stevestevesteve@lemmy.world 5 months ago
1000%. Used PCs are the way to go over a raspberry pi unless you have specific accessories or something. Almost everyone just uses a raspberry pi as a USB host or for network services anyway. Gpio use cases tend to be better served by Arduino or esp32 too