Raspberry Pi Pros and Cons: Should You Buy One?
While the Raspberry Pi originally started as a platform for computer education, it has since exploded in popularity. It has gained fans far and wide due to its wide range of use cases. Notwithstanding, the Pi has its share of limitations. So, what are its pros and cons?
The Raspberry Pi’s best qualities are that it’s affordable, small, and easy to use. However, the Pi isn’t tailored for more intensive computing loads or heavy multitasking.
In this article, I’ll be discussing the advantages of the Raspberry Pi that make it a favorite among users who want a computer for simple or specialized tasks. I’ll also cover why the Pi isn’t a suitable replacement for your usual desktop computer.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi project, I’ve put together a list of 75+ ideas with full descriptions, difficulty ratings, and links to tutorials. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s something here for you. Grab the list for free here!
What Are the Benefits of a Raspberry Pi?
When you look at the playing field today for home computers, large companies tend to dominate the industry. Most people would rather purchase a computer with all the bells and whistles to meet every capability—writing documents, playing games, streaming videos, or programming.
But powerful desktop computers can be quite expensive. They are sometimes more than enough for many users who won’t need even half their power.
Not everyone requires a powerful and large computer that can be expensive and might be too much for their needs. This is where microcomputers come in. They’re great for users who prefer to do relatively simple tasks on affordable machines that are more than enough to meet their needs.
One of the most popular microcomputers, AKA single-board computers, is the Raspberry Pi. The Pi has its own niche market with cool add-ons and accessories. Without further ado, let’s go into the pros of owning a Raspberry Pi.
It’s Affordable
The first standout quality of a Raspberry Pi is its affordability. The Pi doesn’t come with the high price tag of a desktop computer. The Pi is inexpensive and lets you do essential tasks with a computer—without paying a premium.
The Raspberry Pi is a computer that could originally be bought for as low as $35. It was true with the Raspberry Pi 3B+ (check the current price here), but more recent models cost a bit more because they’re more powerful (I recommend the Pi 4 or Pi 5).
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However, for a fully working system, you also need to buy certain components such as an SD card. Your total might reach $100, or sometimes more, but that’s still a good price when compared to desktop computers which can cost $700 or more with all of its peripherals.
To make sure you don’t forget anything while ordering your next Raspberry Pi, I highly recommend purchasing a kit with everything included. I currently recommend this one for the Raspberry Pi 4.
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
If you want a clearer path than jumping from tutorial to tutorial, my book gives you a step-by-step roadmap to really understand your Raspberry Pi.
Check the book hereWarning: current prices are all over the place for a new Raspberry Pi. Make sure to check this article to pay the right price when buying a Raspberry Pi. I also give a few tips to find one in stock (which currently isn’t that easy).
Related: How Much Does It Really Cost to Start With Raspberry Pi?
Low Power Consumption
Another reason a Raspberry Pi is special is that it barely consumes any power. It’s a full computer that doesn’t need a lot of electricity to function. As a result, there are also a lot of flexible ways to power your Pi.
So, if you’re looking to save money not only in terms of the computer itself but also its overall effect on your electricity consumption, a Raspberry Pi is perfect.
Tiny Form Factor
An immediately noticeable feature of the Raspberry Pi is its tiny footprint that lets it fit almost anywhere. So, if you have a particularly small workspace and if your desk is cluttered enough, the Pi is your savior.
The fact that the Raspberry Pi is so small also makes it perfect for children. Originally, the Pi was intended as an affordable computer science education for kids. As such, your kids can use the Pi to learn basic programming without a huge commitment of resources or space.
Easy to Use
The Raspberry Pi is actually pretty easy to use in comparison to other computers. Since the Pi was originally designed for children, it’s meant to be user-friendly for anyone with little to no knowledge of computers. If you want something simple, the Pi is a great choice.
If you’re still afraid to jump into the world of Pi, get my book “Master Raspberry Pi in 30 days” to help you take your first steps with a Raspberry Pi.
Great for Smaller Tasks
If you’re primarily using a computer for simple tasks like sending emails or typing documents, you’re in luck because the Raspberry Pi is more than enough for your needs. It comes with free software and has enough capability for those who only need a computer for basic features.
You might also like: Not Every Raspberry Pi Project Is Worth Building
The Raspberry Pi is a perfect substitute for those looking for simplicity in their home or their business. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and capable enough to handle tasks that don’t require the upkeep of a large desktop computer.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Raspberry Pi?
As useful as a Raspberry Pi may be, it has some disadvantages that may make it less than ideal for certain users. The sections below will outline some cons of the Pi.
Limited Functionality
Let’s face the reality that something as small as a Raspberry Pi will have limits in terms of what it can do. After all, it is a single-board computer; it will be great for low-intensity tasks like programming, office work, and web browsing, but not much more.
So, if you want a desktop computer that is capable of playing demanding games or performing heavy tasks, then a Raspberry Pi wouldn’t be your first choice.
Slow Processor
You can’t expect a single-board computer to have lightning-fast speeds. A Raspberry Pi will generally have slower processing speeds compared to those of more expensive desktop computers.
In that sense, you shouldn’t expect a Pi to deliver you quick results if you’re in a hurry or if you’re running many different programs that eat up its limited memory.
Inadequate for Intensive Tasks
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
If you’re using your computer for your job or your business, there might be some instances where a Pi would be useful especially. Here are some ideas for how a Pi can save your business money.
However, if you are already performing more intense and complex tasks, or if you’re running a larger business, a Raspberry Pi won’t have the power and capacity to meet your needs.
Poor at Multitasking
We live in a fast-paced world that can sometimes demand we juggle different goals at the same time. As such, we need something that can help us multitask.
Unfortunately, a Raspberry Pi isn’t powerful enough to handle multitasking well.
More recent models have better processors, with quad-core CPUs in general, so this concern has become less of an issue than before. Nevertheless, the Pi doesn’t go head-to-head with a traditional desktop computer, if you’re purely comparing raw computing power.
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Should You Buy a Raspberry Pi?
Now that you know the different pros and cons, you might be wondering whether the Raspberry Pi is actually worth it. After all, it might be better to spend a thousand dollars on a real computer than to buy something inexpensive that isn’t quite useful. So, should you buy a Pi?
It depends on what you’re going to use it for and whether you think buying a computer for less than $100 is going to be a good investment. Some will use their Raspberry Pi to play older games, and some might set it up to host web servers.
In those cases, it’s a great investment for the price of admission. I also think the Pi is a fantastic first computer for your kids.
You might also like: Tired of Raspberry Pi OS? Level up with these top-rated systems.
However, if you’re expecting the Raspberry Pi to be a miracle worker at $50 or so, then you’ll probably be disappointed. If you’re always running more intensive tasks on your main desktop, then a Pi might only end up accumulating dust in your closet.
Here’s a quick summary of its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable (price starting at $35) | Limited functionality |
| Small | Weaker processor |
| Low power consumption | Not ideal for multitasking |
| Great for small tasks | Poor for intensive tasks |
| Easy to use |
Still undecided? Here are a few of my other articles that will help you better understand the Raspberry Pi universe:
- Why Starting With Raspberry Pi Is Easier Than You Think
- 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Raspberry Pi
- 15 Easy Projects for Raspberry Pi Beginners
- Which Raspberry Pi Model To Buy
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