Can the PI 3 be run as a computer?

The windows 10 available for the Pi is not an end user version, it is meant for making IoT (Internet of Things) programs to connect sensors or control devices through the internet. Raspian is an end user operating system, it is a variant of Linux that can be used with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to allow you to use the Ras Pi as a desktop system (albeit not as powerful as an intel desktop). So you would need, a keyboard, mouse, monitor, sd card for the OS, and a power supply. Bear in mind, Linux has it's own eco system. You cannot run windows programs on the Raspberry Pi

Mike

The Raspberry Pi 3 is a computer. Though its capabilities are not entirely on par with a shop bought, recent desktop or laptop computer system.

Because of the processor type of the Raspberry Pi, which is ARM, it means that Operating Systems such as Windows have to be compiled for it.

Microsoft have only compiled Windows 10 for ARM for their Surface tablets, and no other platform.

Windows 10 IoT Core is not a desktop environment.

So the short answer to your question, if I make assumptions as to what you mean, is no.

The long answer, is yes, but not with Windows.

Russell,

After looking at your question and the tags, I'm kind of assuming you mean, "Can the PI 3 be run as a WINDOWS 10 Computer?"

If that is your question, then the answer, at least right now, is "no."

However, if you are looking for a Linux-based system, then it is absolutely a viable solution. Here's a video that shows a guy running the Pi 2 B as a Linux workstation. He even gets dual screens running eventually, and used it as his office to do his work for a couple of weeks. https://youtu.be/XA95jzOyA9w?t=30s

...and now that the Pi 3 is a 64-bit system, I'm hoping we will be able to put the Remix OS on it at some point. I know the main Remix OS is for x86 processors, but they have it on ARM systems, as well, so I'm hoping for a partnership or something to get it onto the Pi, because running a Chome-OS type setup on the Pi 3 would be a good experience...

There are quite a few Unix flavors that run on the Pi, so it's possible to get pretty close to a Windows experience, but right now, that's as close as it can get.

Hope that helps!

-Myles-

Let me summarize from both statements above:

• Windows 10 IOT runs on Pi 2 and Pi 3. But this is not the Windows 10 on a desktop. In fact the Windows 10 IOT is tethered to a Windows 10 PC for development.
• Pi 2 and big brother Pi 3 now can use all the storage you want on USB 2.0 (powered hub!). No SATA or SCSI.
• Finally Pi 3 can now shine in wireless networking with new on board Broadcom chip. Much will be explored in future as drivers for BLE come around. Watch this space.
• On OS side, Rasbian is safe bet with Ubuntu as a good second IMHO. But all are 32 bit and future may catch up with 64 bit soon.
• Applications on Linux is very rich and very expandable. Sometimes a specific one is missing, but another could replace it if you look around. Over time many more will be created as open source. Even desktop is very fluid with at least 3 major ones (Gnome Xfce Mate). Desktop Linux Reviews – Your guide to the best desktop Linux distros!  gives a great review and worth checking out. Not all are Pi 3.
• Are you adaptable to change or like same old things once you try? This amy be the most important thing to consider at the end of the day.

Well I hope this puts into perceptive your question and others as well.

Cheers,

Clem

I think Raspberry Pi 3 is not a good choice for a desktop computer. 1 GB RAM is too low for intensive web browsing and multitasking. A better option would be Orange Pi Plus 2 for $49 with quad core 1.6 GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB MMC Flash, SATA, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet and 40-pin headers compatible with Raspberry Pi.

Windows 10 ...with GUI no as Mike as said it's for IOT uses and commandline based

Use a computer to do a bit of browsing etc yeah fine use Raspbian and away you go not fast but you will be moving .. you don't state what you want to do so anybodys' answer will be a bit general and vague!

Percieved Support from the crowd is the only reason that the RPi does so well otherwise it would not be able to compte with the other SBCs in terms of cost/features.

Fortunately with such a large use base there is some kind of solution for  a given problem so you can just copy that ...making the RPI easier to use!

I agree with niutech.  The 1 GB DRAM is going to constrain you as a desktop computer.  Last year I used a Hardkernel ODROID-C1 as a desktop computer.  It has Quad ARM Cortex-A5 and 1 GB DRAM, and I used it with an external USB 2.0 hard drive.  I found it about 20% faster than a RasPi 2.  It worked pretty well most of the time, but would hang with overly-complex Web pages.

I would suggest checking out the new Hardkernel ODROID-C2, which has a quad Cortex-A53 (like the RasPi 3) but has 2 GB DRAM and dedicated (not through USB) Gigabit Ethernet.  It includes a large heat sink.

BTW the Raspian -Jessie that I got in SEP2015 (at raspberrypi.org) Came w/ Wolfram Mathematica. Played w/ it a bit, but decided to concentrate my time using the "student" version of Mathworks MatLab/Simulink that I had already bought. I would say that the RaspPi might be slow but if you are into MATH, getting W's Mathematica for Free, It Is a No-Brainer.

USCDADNYC (NY NY USA)

To: Chris Stanton. Who on 29FEB16 wrote>>..

Microsoft have only compiled Windows 10 for ARM for their Surface tablets, and no other platform...

ELY Reply>> Wasn't what you described the MS Surface RT Laptop/Tablet and it was WindowsRT and not Win10? The MS surface Product line is now in their 4th(?) generation. All I believe are Win10 and x86-line of processors based. I would love an i7 based Surface Tablet, but you are talking $1.5K+. The PPI is great and probably boots in NO Time. My Intel NUCi7RYH (w/ M.2 (256GB) SSD) boots Win10 in 11 seconds. Comparable Dell Tablets/Laptops DO say that they use M.2 SSD's There are probably M.2 SSD's in the Surface 4's, b/c they are so Thin that I cannot Imagine even a 2.5"SSD being able to Fit.

Bottom Line. RaspPi are great (I started in 2013 w/ a RaspPi 1 Mod B) for their Price-Point. I'll get a RaspPi 3 WHEN they announce a RaspPi Zero WITH Bluetooth. Then a RaspPi 3 for Development (Machine) and a  (hopefully) BT equipped RaspPi Zero as Production Product. Of course I would equip the Zero w/ a RaspPi RTC.

USCDADNYC [aka ELY] (NY NY USA)

.