Comment by gizmo686
17 days ago
These conversations around the rPi make no sense to me. To me the value of rPi has always been:
* Simple to install a well supported OS with a full UI. * GPIO array (including pwm, i2c, etc)
I could take one. Connect a keyboard and monitor. Jumper a few pins into a breadboard with an LED matrix, and right a python script to bitbang a multiplexed LED array
The only other product I have seen that I view as even competing in the same space is the OrangePi line. However, those are vastly inferior in terms of support.
Compared to an x86 PC which is what TFA is showing ? The only argument in favour of the RPi is GPIOs, but "simple to install" and "support" definitely are a thousand times better on standard x86 PCs than on any of these ARM SBCs.
Right. It is the combination of the two features.
If all you want is the GPIO array, there are thousands of other boards you could buy.
If all you want is a well supported, easy to use computer, there are hundreds of options to choice from.
If you want both in a single product, your options are very limited.
The sense is apparent when one recognises this "value" is just features. Net value includes much more.