When we talk about PCs today, we usually refer to the narrowest definition of a PC. The Raspberry Pi is no different; it does not come with a keyboard, screen, mouse, or case, but it is a fully functional computer, equipped with a logic circuit board, processor, memory, MicroSD card slot, mini-HDMI interface, and two microUSB ports—one for data storage and the other for power transmission.

The Raspberry Pi computer is supported by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK, which aims to promote computer programming education in schools through affordable pricing. Back in 2012, the Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi 1) was launched at a price of $25, featuring a 700MHz processor and 256MB of memory, and has since sold over 5 million units, gaining popularity among computer enthusiasts and makers, with its powerful features also appealing to many DIY fans. It is described in the product specifications as: “Making a programmable computer accessible to everyone for only $20 to $35.” The second generation Raspberry Pi, released in February 2015, is equipped with a 900MHz quad-core processor and 1GB of memory, and remains popular.

At the end of November this year, the Raspberry Pi Foundation took another step forward by releasing the “Raspberry Pi Zero” computer, which is not only smaller in size but also priced at just $5.

In the UK, $5 is roughly equivalent to the price of a fast food meal, but it can buy you a real computer. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi Foundation even gave away a Raspberry Pi Zero for free in the December issue of “MagPi” magazine.

The Zero has a single-core CPU—BCM2835—that is 40% faster than the Raspberry Pi 1, with 512MB of memory, and interfaces including a mini HDMI and two Micro USB ports, one of which is for power. Furthermore, the Zero can run the Raspbian system (note: a Linux system for Raspberry Pi), just like the Raspberry Pi 1. Additionally, its size has been reduced to approximately 65*30mm. Unfortunately, the Zero does not have standard USB or Ethernet ports, so you need to purchase a USB hub to connect peripherals and networks. Eben Upton, the founder of Raspberry Pi, stated that the Zero’s smaller size reduced manufacturing costs, leading to a significant reduction in price. Nevertheless, this “computer” has not compromised on core experience; it remains compatible with previous Raspberry Pi models. Moreover, the configuration level of this $5 computer would have been considered high-end a decade ago.

As the most popular mini computer in the world today, the Raspberry Pi undoubtedly deserves that title. So, just how capable are these small “guys”? This real computer is equipped with the Linux-based Debian OS Raspbian system and can run software like Scratch, Minecraft, and Sonic Pi, making it extremely versatile; it can access the internet, play 1080P videos, even run games like “Minecraft”, develop a 3D printed spy camera, and create a mini Bitcoin mining machine.

Next, let’s briefly introduce 9 things it can do (actually far more than these), allowing you to see how many DIY enthusiasts are fully realizing their spirit of technological innovation.

• Robots

You can use the Raspberry Pi as the “brain” of a robot, programming it to perform more complex functions: assembling a working robotic arm and controlling it in real time; or programming it to complete a series of specified actions over time.

• Assembling Drones

Tired of having your Christmas gifts delivered by a courier? Why not assemble a drone to handle gift delivery? The Raspberry Pi computer can drive a drone to accomplish all of this. This little guy, which is just a circuit board, can handle everything from reading gyroscope data to accurately calculating how much power each motor needs.

• Weather Monitoring Station

There is a tool called AirPi, which users can assemble into a small weather monitoring station, with the Raspberry Pi computer serving as the brain. It can monitor wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure, and humidity. Users can even write mobile applications for it, allowing the data to be plotted on a weather map for better visualization.

• Raspberry Pi Media Center

Due to the low price of the Raspberry Pi and its HDMI plug design that allows for HD video playback, it has become a very popular media center mod. Geeks have even used the Raspberry Pi to create an entertainment computer.

• Arcade Games

For retro arcade game enthusiasts, you can now use the Raspberry Pi to build your own arcade machine. This machine needs to run on software called Mame. Users can add games simply by inserting a USB flash drive.

• BeetBox

When we talk about the Raspberry Pi computer, the only limit is your imagination! Why not do something even more unexpected? Musician Scott Garner developed a music tool using the Raspberry Pi that can create drum sounds by touching beets! Of course, all of this is made possible by the Raspberry Pi computer, which is housed in a handmade wooden box containing a capacitive touch sensor and an audio amplifier.

• Black Stripe Plotter

Using a combination of the Raspberry Pi and mechanical devices, this black-and-white stripe plotter can turn color photos into large black-and-white murals. Through specific programming processing, the Raspberry Pi can convert electronic color photo data into vector data, which the machine can then plot.

• Beer Can Keyboard

If you think current keyboards are too dull, maybe you can create a beer can keyboard powered by the Raspberry Pi. As the name suggests, this keyboard is made up of beer cans, which can be plugged into a computer or laptop, and users can input text by tapping the top of the beer cans.

• Supercomputer

If performance is your concern, why not combine multiple Raspberry Pis to build your own supercomputer? Computer engineers at the University of Southampton built this supercomputer using 64 Raspberry Pi computers and LEGO bricks, which has a total of 64 processors and 1TB of memory.

Source: WeChat official account: Play End