frontpagecheapnoneed posted Aug 08, 2025 08:48 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
frontpagecheapnoneed posted Aug 08, 2025 08:48 PM
Select Locations: Raspberry Pi 5: ARM Cortex A76 Quad-Core CPU, 16GB RAM
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This is for people that have to have the biggest number.
The extra expenses were always going to bloat the cost of even a $35 model, unless you were cool with not using a case, or had a spare power cable laying around.
Most people should look for a cheap x86 OptiPlex MFF or something instead. The very cheapest Alder Lake-N Chinesium boxes could have zero support/returns.
RPi is basically an industrial thing by now, with general public enthusiasts being a fringe advantage.
The RPi with .5 GB RAM was $35 in 2012. That's just about $50 in today money. The RPi4B with 1GB RAM is $38. The RPi5 with 2GB RAM is $50. This is the 16GB. Please keep this in perspective. The RPi Zero 2 W is still $15 and the CM 5 still starts at $50
It's still a decent, well documented and well supported SBC platform for learning and projects. And there are cheaper alternatives like the Orange Pi or Le Potato. If you just want a cheap prebuilt server or computer this might not be the solution for you, but if you are interested in building things, thinking, or learning, it might
Edit: Just saw the RPi5 2GB is $40 at MC right now https://www.microcenter
The pain point on some of these off brand minis would be drivers in some cases, and your typical DOA's or quality concerns, but those are troubles of EVERY product.
Just my opinion, I am not trashing anybodies post or opinion. Each have their uses though.
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RPi is basically an industrial thing by now, with general public enthusiasts being a fringe advantage.
The RPi with .5 GB RAM was $35 in 2012. That's just about $50 in today money. The RPi4B with 1GB RAM is $38. The RPi5 with 2GB RAM is $50. This is the 16GB. Please keep this in perspective. The RPi Zero 2 W is still $15 and the CM 5 still starts at $50
It's still a decent, well documented and well supported SBC platform for learning and projects. And there are cheaper alternatives like the Orange Pi or Le Potato. If you just want a cheap prebuilt server or computer this might not be the solution for you, but if you are interested in building things, thinking, or learning, it might
Edit: Just saw the RPi5 2GB is $40 at MC right now https://www.microcenter
The argument is that RPi used to be a budget tinkerer's dream, but now, not so much. But like you mentioned, it's a good thing there are now cheaper alternatives out there.
Edit: I also see a 8GB for $65, that's definitely more reasonable if you don't have strict memory needs.
The RPi with .5 GB RAM was $35 in 2012. That's just about $50 in today money. The RPi4B with 1GB RAM is $38. The RPi5 with 2GB RAM is $50. This is the 16GB. Please keep this in perspective. The RPi Zero 2 W is still $15 and the CM 5 still starts at $50
It's still a decent, well documented and well supported SBC platform for learning and projects. And there are cheaper alternatives like the Orange Pi or Le Potato. If you just want a cheap prebuilt server or computer this might not be the solution for you, but if you are interested in building things, thinking, or learning, it might
Edit: Just saw the RPi5 2GB is $40 at MC right now https://www.microcenter
I personally still love working with the Pi (unless someone has some other better/easier recommendation). The ability to use GPIO, which we do use for automation and have an OS to easily run cron and connect to network is extremely helpful. I'm not sure if many others are as easily to work with.
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The argument is that RPi used to be a budget tinkerer's dream, but now, not so much. But like you mentioned, it's a good thing there are now cheaper alternatives out there.
Edit: I also see a 8GB for $65, that's definitely more reasonable if you don't have strict memory needs.
The Pi 4 was a big leap in CPU performance compared to the previous gens and the 5 is even better. Also the 5 GPU blows the previous gens completely away
Additionally, I didn't mention it previously, but I'm also considering support in my equation. Not relevant for systems without network connection, but relevant for most people. The Pi 5 is scheduled to be supported until at least 2035, and likely much longer. Which other full computer that costs $200 would offer support for that long. From what I've seen, any company that has a history of even 5-7 years of support start their systems at around $400
The RPi isn't the best solution for every project but apples to apples, it still has the same value proposition that the original had
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