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by OrangeMango 2546 days ago
But then it's a $50, $60, $70 computer.

(This has always been my complaint anyway. The Pi Zero works great with any of the USB chargers you already own too many of, but the rest of the Pi line needs higher-spec chargers that most people need to buy as an add-on)
4 comments
ocdtrekkie 2546 days ago
As a $50, $60, $70 computer, it's still an incredibly cheap computer.
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baq 2546 days ago
most people don't have a 3A charger which the RPi 4 requires (per manual) if you're planning on hooking up peripherals.
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owenversteeg 2546 days ago
I completely agree, I'm not sure why you're getting downvoted. The price is extremely important, and I don't care who says it's not. If it's a $35 computer, sure, buy a couple, play around with them, it's OK if one gets damaged/stolen/whatever. If it's $35, sure, the school can buy them for the kids. If it's $35, you can gift one to your nieces and nephews who are interested.

But it's not $35. You need an SD card and power at an absolute minimum (+$15), and then some way to connect to a screen and a keyboard (if just for a minute, to set up SSH and to fix it when it breaks.)

That's why I like the Pi Zero W. $10, and then $5 for a microSD card, and you can run it off of a laptop (or a powerbank, or an old phone charger, or a USB port.) It's beautiful. That leaves you with plenty of room to buy stuff like the PiOLED tiny display for $15, or a radio bonnet, or what have you.

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OrangeMango 2546 days ago
The price is very important, but so is the act of minimizing electronic waste. I've personally collected so many gadgets and their associated accessories that I don't know what to do with them.

It is a fair criticism to say that I am going too far, but I want to reuse the things I already have. I don't want to continue buying single-use things that will eventually be waste. It's not that I won't ever do it, but I now think very carefully about it before buying more electronic toys.

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imtringued 2546 days ago
If you ever thought that the raspberry pi was a $35 computer then I have a bridge to sell. The fact that it doesn't even come with a cheap plastic case should already be a warning signal that it's going to cost more than that.
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