Comparison of Raspberry Pi and Arduino

Choosing the right development board should not be a hassle. Unfortunately, if you are new to all of this, picking the right one can be challenging. There are a number of different factors that should be kept in mind. However, if you want to go right to the part where you choose between two of the very best, you are going to want to consider either the Raspberry Pi or the Arduino.

Each has its own distinct features and advantages. There is no such thing as a universal solution for every single person and their needs. Keeping that in mind, several comparisons should be made, in order to determine your best fit.

What is The Difference Between The Raspberry Pi And Arduino?

With the Arduino, we are talking about microcontroller motherboards. A microcontroller is designed with supreme simplicity in mind. It runs a single program over and over again. It can only run the one program at a time. It is extremely simple to use in every possible regard. 

The Raspberry Pi is naturally a bit different. This is a general-purpose computer. In most cases, you will find these general-purpose computers running a Linux-based operating system. Obviously, since we are talking about something that is a bit more elaborate, we are also dealing with something that can multiple programs with ease. You can probably surmise at this point that it is a more complicated piece of technology than what you get with the Arduino.

At this point, we can start to dig deeper into what these things are actually being used for. Given the differences we have just illustrated above, it should be easy to imagine that this is where the two products are going to differ to an even greater degree.

What Are These Development Boards Used For?

The Arduino board is utilized for simple tasks. A good example of this would be something like opening and closing a garage door. Another good example would be something that reads the temperature outdoors, and then sends that information along to one of your social media accounts. Driving a basic robot is yet another example of a task that can prove suitable for your Arduino board. The rule of thumb again and again is simplicity. If you need something that can handle a repetitive task effectively and consistently, then you are going to want to consider the Arduino board. Repetitive, basic tasks are what this board has built a considerable reputation upon. 

Things are obviously going to be different with the Raspberry Pi. Whenever you need a more dedicated, full-fledged computer to help you complete your tasks, this is the board you are going to want to consider. If you need to drive a more complex robot, you will want to utilize a Raspberry Pi. If you need to work with elaborate calculations, such as anything to do with Bitcoin, you are going to want a Raspberry Pi. Generally speaking, the Raspberry Pi is an excellent choice for anyone who needs to perform multiple tasks.  

Now, it should be easy to figure out which one is right for you. However, if you are still on the fence as to which board is right for you, there are a few more things to keep in mind.

Additional Considerations

Arduino boards are ideal for those who want to tackle a DIY project of some kind. One of the nicest features with these boards is that you don’t have to be a tech expert to take advantage of what these boards have to offer. In most cases, the tasks associated with these boards are so straightforward, virtually anyone can take advantage of them. These boards do not run a full operating system. All they will do is execute written codes as the firmware demands. You won’t have the same tools you would like use with a full operating system. While this can seem like a disadvantage, it is not when it comes to some of these simple tasks that we have been discussing. When it comes to performing something straightforward, being able to execute simple written code is likely going to be your best bet. 

At the end of the day, Arduino boards fulfil the main purpose of interfacing with devices and sensors. If you are working on a hardware project that demands simple responses to simple demands, such as sensor readings or manual inputs, this is likely to be the right board for you. While Arduino boards are fairly straightforward, the truth of the matter is that they are far more elaborate than they get credit for.

With the Raspberry Pi, you’re getting pretty much everything you would expect with a computer that has an operating system. You get your dedicated processor and memory. There is even a graphics driver for outputs through HDMI. The Linux operating system that you will likely find with a Raspberry Pi is known as Raspbian. At the end of the day, remember that you can utilize different operating systems with microSD cards. There are currently six different versions of Raspberry Pi that are available for purchase. A little research can certainly help you to figure out which one is ideal.

By now, it should not be too difficult by any means to appreciate the differences between Arduino boards and Raspberry Pi boards. Both are basically going to do the same thing. They are just going to go about it in entirely different ways. With the Arduino boards, we are talking about simple functions and simple tasks. The Raspberry Pi boards give you a full operating system, which can then be applied to a plethora of complicated tasks and demands.

Which one is right for you? By comparing the various strengths and potential weaknesses of each board, you should be able to arrive at a solution that makes sense to you. The best board is going to be the one that matches flawlessly with what you are trying to accomplish. Consider that side of the issue, and then compare those needs to the various options you have.

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