Whether you have a lot of experience working with technology or not, the Raspberry Pi is a great little tool - or plaything - that every home should experience. In today’s guide, we’re going to outline some of the amazing things it can do for you and your family - and reveal the compelling reasons why everyone should give this incredible piece of technology a try.
You can do anything
Even if you aren’t from a techy background, there is so much you can do with a Raspberry Pi. Most people use it as a media centre or a games machine, and it’s also used a lot for education - as we will explain in a moment. You can play video, turn it into a camera, view photos from it - and it can even get you started with some DIY projects for bringing the Internet of Things into your home.
It’s educational
If you have ever wanted a hands-on way of learning how to program or even introduce your children to coding and technology, the Raspberry Pi is the best place to start. It’s simple, intuitive, and anyone of any age can easily find their technical level. The Internet is full of fun and original projects that you can follow, and as you progress you will find yourself being able to tackle new ideas and create new solutions to problems.
It’s cheap
The basic Raspberry Pi units start from as low as £25-30, which is just about as cheap as you could ask when it comes to buying a computer. A quick look over at The Pi Hut reveals there are plenty of add-ons to consider as your programming and building skills progress, and the costs will start to add up. However, with a little ingenuity, there is no reason why you can’t create some incredible, assistive technology that will benefit your life in many ways for a fraction of the price of an off-the-shelf PC.
It’s Linux-based
For those of you who are less tech-savvy, Linux is an operating system, much like Windows or OSX. However, the difference is that most of the applications you can get are almost always free. And, once you get your bearings with programming Linux, you can adapt the code to make it fit your needs. This makes Raspberry Pi a versatile foundation that you can build on with virtually anything - your imagination and problem-solving skills will be the only things in the way.
It’s creative
Whether you want to use your Raspberry Pi for a Full HD media centre for playing movies or use it in other creative projects, there are few limits to what can be achieved. For example, if there is a tech product on the market that doesn’t quite match your expectations, why not improve on it? There are so many DIY Raspberry Pi guides that you can follow to the letter, or improve on. Again, the only limits are your imagination and skill set.
Do you already use Raspberry Pi? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts!