The Raspberry Pi is the number one geek device, a real computer smaller than a mobile phone, which has all the connectors to function like a desktop PC. In practice it is a motherboard including sockets to connect a hard disk (or an SD memory card), a monitor, a network cable and a power cable.
We have spoken extensively in the past about the Raspberry PI as a real computer or as a mediacenter and we still talk about it today by presenting the Raspberry Pi 3 version, which can be purchased online at 45 Euros, with ARMv8 64-bit quad core processor at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB RAM and 3D graphics card.
In addition to being a more powerful computer than the previous version, the most important fact relating to the new Raspberry PI 3 is the fact that it is compatible with a free version of Windows 10 (see how to install Windows 10 on Raspberry PI 3 )
The Raspberry Pi 3 is very similar to the Raspebbery 2 model, has the same shape (therefore the same cases are fine), but is considerably faster and also has a wifi receiver, to connect to wireless networks without the need for an adapter.
The Raspberry PI 3 also has a new operating system, called Pixel, to be installed if you want to use the PI as a normal Linux computer, now much faster than previous versions.
To understand each other, the Raspberry PI 3 can easily be used as a normal desktop PC for surfing the internet, listening to music, watching movies and for working on Office documents thanks to LibreOffice.
NOTE: Raspberry Pixel can also be used on PC and Mac
The Raspberry PI 3 can also be purchased for 40 Euros from Italy on Amazon
You can also see the Raspberry Pi 3 Starter pack version which also includes the case, the power supply and the accessories to use it comfortably.
Obviously the Raspberry, alone, is not enough to be used as a PC and, in addition to a little installation work, you must also consider buying:
- micro USB cable for wall power supply (any smartphone or tablet charger is fine).
- A USB keyboard and mouse
- A microSD card of at least 4 GB in which to put the operating system.
- An HDMI cable or a 3.5mm composite audio / video cable.
- A monitor or TV
You will probably also have to buy a case in which to insert the Raspberry PI 3 which is sold as a bare and raw memory card with visible transistors.
If you like the idea but want something complete that is an already beautiful PC ready, refer to the article on smaller desktop PCs: NUC, Chromebox or VivoPC, also perfect as a Mediacenter .
