Mini PC vs Raspberry PI 5

[Tom Speirs]

I've said it before but get a mini PC rather than a PI.

 

[Tom Speirs]

$160 Stateside.

https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Lake-N100-Desktop-Computer-Ethernet/dp/B0BYJ9BC15/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=mini%2Bpc%2Bn100&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&th=1

[ClassicGMR]

The Raspberry Pi novelty has definitely worn off in my house. Between my wife and I we had 6 at one point running various things. I am down to 2x RPi 4 setups - a Pimoroni PiCade and a 10.1" Sunfounder setup. I keep these since they are both portable and run on a 25W battery bank for 8+ hours.

 

Back in August I sold off 3 of the RPi's and used some of the money to buy a Windows mini PC. The mini-est I could find actually! It's a GMKTek Windows mini pc. 1000 times better, has more power and runs Windows. The emulation is good but the functionality I get from it being an actual PC just makes it the better buy. Stream movies, productivity, general browsing, YouTube (Ms Rachel for the grandkids is a MUST LOL). It just makes more sense. I put it in the entertainment center with a Bluetooth keyboard and you can't even see it. I paid $170 USD at the time but right now it's only $140 USD.

 

There's just so many better options. If you like the Raspberry Pi and tinkering around and playing with it as a hobby then yeah buy one. If you just want something to emulate on without tinkering or hassles AND get a full blown PC as a bonus then why would you even look at a Pi?