Raspberry Pi. Should I buy it?

Compared to other options like the Arduino UNO or a TI Launchpad it is much more complex (Unless your already used to using Linux).

An Arduino UNO or Launchpad is by far a simpler way to get started with embedded systems

now if you want to learn LINUX / C Programming and already have a laptop or Desktop of pretty much anykind then you dont need anything extra except software but I figured you now that already

So assuming you want to learn how to program hardware devices and create cool things like robots, heating and environmental control systems, Lighting effects etc etc then your in the right place and can start with something simple like an Arduino and grow from there

I agree with Peter

Arduino is much better t understand the basics of low-level programming.

On the other hand, if your not going to deep too much into hardware, Raspberry has the advantage to make you create your "toys" like you are using a PC (you can edit, build and debug on the raspberry board). It also provides you with a wealth of libraries to accomplish even complex tasks

Cheers

Ambrogio

Alejandro, The answer is it depends! The price is very low and with the Libraries installed it hides most of the complexity of the device.

If you only have a very simple application in mind then maybe an Arduino would be more appropriate. However the moment you need networking/ Sound/ Storage then the RPI beats it hands down and really you are better with the RPI than buying lots of individual modules.

If you know C++ I think you can deal with the complexities of the RPI no problem if that answers your question?

John A

I'd probably recommend a Pi over an Arduino for all levels of programming experience.

The Pi can be use for a variety of languages giving a broad range of choice as to how you get started. Scratch and Python are available from within the GUI.

To use the more complex languages requires more in-depth knowledge (but hopefully the person using those languages will know enough to be able to access them).

Arduino for projects with tight timing concerns, drastically low weight requirements or Analogue inputs.

Pi for projects which need lots of complex computation, sound or video.

The Pi can get analogue values with an ADC but it will often be simpler to use an Arduino to handle the ADC requirements of the project..

I agree with you Doug. Despite what the common sense seems suggesting, I think that starting from a "evolved" machine like the PI and then in a process of self-knowledge, digging down to low level machines it is more helpful than starting from something apparently "easier".

IMO, as much a hardware is simple (i.e. Arduino, PIC, and so on) as much it is complex to understand it and manage it as well.

Enrico

You would also have to pick which Pi to buy, the answer is normally Pi 2.

Buy a Pi 2 if:

• you can afford it ($35).

Buy a Pi A+ if:

• You have smaller power budget and won't be using Ethernet or more than 1 USB port.
• You are on a very tight financial budget and won't be using Ethernet or more than 1 USB port.
• You have tight space or weight constraints and won't be using Ethernet or more than 1 USB port. (but you might be better off with an Arduino Nano for this).

Buy a Pi B+ if:

• You have a small power budget and need Ethernet and/or between two and four USB ports.
• You want to save money and don't need the performance enhancements of the Pi 2.

Buy a Pi B if:

• you have to replace an existing Pi B like for like.

Buy a Pi A if:

• you have to replace an existing Pi B like for like.

Generally: Buy the Pi 2, it's better.

Hi Alejandro,

I agree with others. Since you are studying CS then it could be in your best interest to learn as much as possible from different hardware platforms. The RPi, Arduino and TI LaunchPad, while similar in certain aspects, are totally different in others. Each platform has something different to teach in the world of systems on a chip, embedded systems and microcontrollers.

Having said all of that I would start with the Raspberry Pi 2 B. Learn it inside out. Since you already have experience in Linux and C, use that as a trampoline to get going with more advanced features available in the Raspberry Pi. Another poster mentioned that the R Pi includes Python and Scratch. Do not ignore these. They too, are different programming environments and have something to teach as far as programming paradigms go. Once you understand Linux and C programming under this OS, you can explore the hardware interface aspects of the R-Pi. From there you can jump into the Arduino and then into the TI Launch pad (or other ucontrollers such as the PIC). You will find each of these worlds fascinating. Additionally, after becoming familiar with the Arduino, go ahead with the ATMEL ucontrollers. You'll get a fascinating insight how the ATMEL chips were adapted to create the Arduino.

May I ask where you are located and which university you are attending? Thank you! Salvador

Thanks for sharing your location. And welcome to Element 14! Bienvenido!

I have done some Arduino projects. The first a simple sketch to demonstrate how to communicate between the PC and an Arduino. The second was an EPROM reader that I built based on the Arduino platform. Here are the links:

EPROM Reader:

http://www.element14.com/community/blogs/SalsCorner/2015/07/27/eprom-reader-project

C# Serial programming (PC/Arduino)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6fsy7-qyqY

Note: These notes focus on the C# application, but I include the full source of the Arduino sketch in the downloadable ZIP file whose link is in the description.

We can discuss these further, but I would recommend doing this in an Arduino forum (or privately), since this forum is dedicated to the Raspberry Pi.

Salvador