Desktops are widely used by most of the people because of its efficient functionality. But everyone in the world doesn’t require such high performing PC. Most of them require simple browsing, Email checking and editing some word files. When these are the basic requirements, a big setup is not necessary.
Nowadays we have smartphones performing these functionalities comfortably. Yet they have some disadvantages which are fulfilled by the Raspberry Pi. Let us understand how raspberry pi is different from desktop computer and what it can perform.
How Raspberry Pi is different from desktop computer?
Raspberry Pi is a small compact computer that can be plugged into a standard monitor, keyboard and mouse to use it as a desktop. While the functionality of the raspberry pi is similar to desktops, there are differences between them.
Raspberry Pi vs Desktop computer
| Raspberry Pi | Desktop PC | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | All the components such as the processor, memory, etc are soldered onto the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or replaced | The motherboard has a basic platform where all the components can be fixed and can also be upgraded whenever required. |
| Size | The size is very compact similar to a credit card with the dimensions of 85.6mm x 56.5mm x 17mm | The components have to be set up in a case which varies in dimension. A mid tower case which is widely used is of 35cm to 55cm tall and 15cm to 25cm wide. |
| Processor Architecture | The processor is fixed and it is made up of ARM architecture. The processor cannot be upgraded. | The architecture is usually AMD64 or CISC64 |
| Memory | The RAM varies from 1GB to a maximum of 8GB. It comes fixed from the manufacturer according to the model. | The RAM can be anywhere from 2GB to 64GB. It can be downgraded or upgraded according to the slot availability of the motherboard. |
| Storage | Raspberry pi uses a microSD for storage. | The desktops use a hard disk drive or a solid state drive and the amount may go terabytes. |
| Display | Doesn’t come with a display but can be connected to a monitor or TV. The graphics may not be very high. (Check displays for Raspberry Pi) | It can be connected to multiple displays and according to the GPU, the graphics might vary. |
| Connectivity | Comes with a fixed number of ports. It has a maximum of 4 USBs, 1 HDMI port, 1 audio port, 1 ethernet port. It also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. | The connectivity can be expanded and depends on the model of the motherboard. Usually, it has many USB ports, at least two HDMI ports, display port, audio/video ports, VGA port, microphone jack, audio jack and much more. |
| Operating system | It uses its own OS, Raspbian Stretch and there is a version of Ubuntu (Linux) released recently. | Popular operating systems are Windows and Linux. |
| Price | It starts from $25 and goes up to $35. | It ranges from $400 to $4000 according to the specifications and other peripherals. |
These are the differences between raspberry pi and a desktop computer. Those who do very light and casual computing can make use of the pi. Kids can learn programming with this computer and yes, it has the capacity to replace a desktop computer.
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Why do we need to select raspberry pi instead of PC?
Many people don’t use computers for intense programming, gaming, or video editing. If you look at the working class, on average, the computer is used for simple browsing, writing with a word or excel, YouTube, and light media.
For such usage, you don’t have to spend a fortune and buy a full-fledged PC. The raspberry pi costs only $35 and with a monitor and other peripherals, it will not cross the $100 mark. But with a PC, you need at least $400 to build a decent computer along with peripherals.
The compact design makes it easily portable from home to office and vice versa. The initial setup doesn’t take much time and doesn’t require any expertise.
The memory is sufficient to perform average multitasking and doesn’t lag with such usage. Though it is not meant for heavy multiple tasks, most people can satisfy with this functionality.
The efficiency of the computer is up to the mark when its size and architecture are taken into account.
The microSD storage is also sufficient and doesn’t cost like an HDD or SSD. Though it doesn’t provide transfer speeds like drives, the SD card is sufficient to perform basic tasks.
Overall, you cannot make the PC compact to a credit card size and make it function better. But with Raspberry pi, all those are possible with the best functionality.
Can i install windows OS in Raspberry Pi?
You can install Windows 10 IoT Core on Raspberry Pi. Windows 10 IoT Core is a compact operating system that was designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) and it’s available free of charge to makers and commercial device builders.
Windows 10 IoT Core is not the only operating system available for Raspberry Pi, but it does offer some unique benefits, such as support for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps.
Windows has not yet released an official version of their OS for Raspberry Pi. However, there are some unofficial versions that you can install on your Raspberry Pi, which are based on other Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Debian.
Why people like Raspberry Pi Computers?
The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized computer that plugs into a TV and a keyboard. It’s a capable little device that enables people to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python, but it also allows people to do some very cool things with it.
There are many reasons why people like Raspberry Pi Computers. Some of the reasons are:
- The Raspberry Pi is small and lightweight which makes it easy to carry around.
- It can be programmed by using languages such as Scratch and Python which makes it useful for teaching programming skills.
- It can be used for many different purposes such as: gaming, media center, personal web server, etc.
What are the operations Raspberry pi can perform?
There are some main ways in which you can use your Raspberry Pi: as a desktop computer or as a server. You can also use it for other things such as controlling robots or making electronic devices on your desk.
Raspberry pi can perform all the functions as a desktop and here is a list of what it can do:
- Work with Word and Sheets
- Internet browsing
- Image editing with GIMP
- Media playing
- Edit documents and folders
- Learn programming languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, etc.
Conclusion
Raspberry Pi is one of the most affordable devices that have the capacity to replace a desktop. It is efficient for simple tasks and can be comfortably used instead of a PC.
You can also use this for kids to teach them about computers and learn a little programming instead of spending a lot of money on a complete PC build.
