Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Intel NUC VS Raspberry Pi

Compare Intel NUC VS Raspberry Pi and see what are their differences

Intel NUC logo Intel NUC

Intel NUCs are available as Kits(Barebones), Boards(Mainbaord only) and as perconfigured Mini-PCs.

Raspberry Pi logo Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a tiny and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming through fun, practical projects. Join the global Raspberry Pi community.
  • Intel NUC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-07
  • Raspberry Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-28

Intel NUC features and specs

  • Compact Size
    The Intel NUC is known for its small form factor, making it ideal for space-constrained environments.
  • Customizability
    Users can choose from a variety of configurations and components, such as RAM and storage, to meet their specific needs.
  • Energy Efficiency
    Intel NUCs typically consume less power than traditional desktop PCs, making them more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
  • Versatility
    They can be used for a wide range of applications, from home entertainment systems to business solutions and digital signage.
  • Performance
    Despite their small size, Intel NUCs often offer robust performance, thanks to the use of Intel's latest processors and technology.

Possible disadvantages of Intel NUC

  • Limited Expansion
    The compact design restricts the ability to add extra components such as additional storage drives or high-end graphics cards.
  • Higher Cost
    Compared to traditional desktops, Intel NUCs can be more expensive on a price-to-performance basis, especially for higher-end models.
  • Cooling Efficiency
    Due to their small size, effective cooling can be a challenge, potentially affecting performance under heavy loads.
  • Peripheral Dependence
    Since most NUCs come as barebones kits, users will need to purchase additional peripherals like keyboards, monitors, and external storage.
  • Repairability
    The compact and integrated design can make repairs and upgrades more difficult compared to traditional desktops.

Raspberry Pi features and specs

  • Affordability
    Raspberry Pi devices are very cost-effective, typically priced between $5 to $75, making them accessible for a wide range of users.
  • Size and Portability
    The compact size of a Raspberry Pi makes it easy to integrate into various projects and conducive to portable applications.
  • Versatility
    Raspberry Pi can be used for a multitude of applications ranging from educational purposes to complex IoT projects, media centers, and more.
  • Community Support
    With a large and active community, extensive documentation, and numerous tutorials available, support is readily accessible for troubleshooting and project ideas.
  • Educational Tool
    Raspberry Pi is widely used in education for teaching programming, electronics, and computer science concepts in a hands-on manner.
  • Energy Efficiency
    The Raspberry Pi consumes relatively low power, which makes it an excellent choice for always-on applications and energy-conscious users.

Possible disadvantages of Raspberry Pi

  • Limited Performance
    Despite improvements in newer models, Raspberry Pi devices still have limitations in processing power compared to full-fledged computers, which can be a bottleneck for intensive applications.
  • Storage Constraints
    The usage of micro SD cards for storage can be a limitation in terms of both speed and capacity, compared to traditional hard drives or SSDs.
  • Peripheral Dependency
    To fully utilize a Raspberry Pi, additional peripherals like keyboards, mice, monitors, and power supplies are needed, which can complicate setups and add to the overall cost.
  • Connectivity Limitations
    Though equipped with various connectivity options, the number of USB ports and network interfaces may be limited, imposing restrictions on connected devices.
  • No Built-in Real-Time Clock
    Raspberry Pi lacks a built-in real-time clock (RTC), requiring an additional RTC module for applications that need to keep track of time when powered off.
  • Software Compatibility
    Certain software and applications are not optimized for the ARM architecture of the Raspberry Pi, potentially limiting the available software and compatibility with x86 applications.

Intel NUC videos

Is This TINY Gaming PC Worth It? Intel NUC 9 Extreme Review

Raspberry Pi videos

Can a Raspberry Pi 4 be used as a Desktop PC - Full test and review

More videos:

  • Review - Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Review: Should you buy it?
  • Review - The Raspberry Pi 4 Is A Gaming Beast

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Intel NUC and Raspberry Pi)
Electronics
61 61%
39% 39
Single Board Computer
100 100%
0% 0
Operating Systems
0 0%
100% 100
X86
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raspberry Pi seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Intel NUC mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Intel NUC yet. Tracking of Intel NUC recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Raspberry Pi mentions (23)

  • INFJ wanting to gift an INTP for his birthday
    INTPs are often very good at tinkering and programming so anything from http://raspberrypi.org will be a winner! They’ve got every budget covered from tiny computers for $5 all the way up to the accessories which can be bought on the websites linked on there that’ll turn your pi into a robot or sensor kit or anything really. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help getting my image working?
    The only thing I can get to boot on any of the 3 boards is the newest pi4 OS image on raspberrypi.org. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Help with 12 year old girl who would like to learn coding.
    Https://raspberrypi.org lots of FOSS tools and fun projects for beginners. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Please report scalpers and price-gougers
    Sure. Do what Adafruit, Sparkfun, Pihut, and the others linked from raspberrypi.org do. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton says that he expects the inventory situation to improve over time and to be completely resolved within 12 months.
    It seems disgusting when you open raspberrypi.org and be presented with slogans like "teach, learn, make" and pictures of kids learning and playing around with the boards when it was obvious what the priority was for the company (spoiler: not those kids in the pictures). Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Intel NUC and Raspberry Pi, you can also consider the following products

ESPRESSObin - Electronics, Single Board Computer, and x86

Orange Pi - It’s an open-source single-board computer. It can run Android 4.

Udoo x86 Ultra - Udoo x86 Ultra is a modern PC, known as the most powerful X86 maker board and an Arduino 101 compatible platform.

Odroid - The Odroid is a series of single-board computers and tablet computers created by Hardkernel Co.

Intel NUC boards - Four-by-four inch Intel NUC boards come with a soldered-on processor.

Banana Pi - Banana Pi is a single-board computer made in China. It can run Android, Ubuntu and Debian.