Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MacBook 12" VS Raspberry Pi

Compare MacBook 12" VS Raspberry Pi and see what are their differences

MacBook 12" logo MacBook 12"

The new 12" MacBook with a retina display

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.
  • MacBook 12" Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09
  • Raspberry Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-28

MacBook 12" features and specs

  • Portability
    The MacBook 12" is extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and ideal for those who travel frequently.
  • Retina Display
    The 12" Retina display provides sharp and vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy, enhancing the viewing experience.
  • Design
    The sleek and modern design of the MacBook 12" gives it an aesthetic appeal, accompanied by a premium build quality.
  • Quiet Operation
    Due to its fanless design, the MacBook 12" operates silently, making it perfect for quiet environments.
  • Battery Life
    Offers decent battery life, allowing users to work for several hours without needing to recharge frequently.

Possible disadvantages of MacBook 12"

  • Limited Ports
    The MacBook 12" features a single USB-C port, which can be inconvenient for users who need to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
  • Performance
    The Intel Core M processor, while efficient, may not be sufficient for demanding tasks such as video editing or running heavy applications.
  • Price
    Despite its limitations, the MacBook 12" comes with a relatively high price tag compared to other laptops with similar specifications.
  • Keyboard
    The butterfly keyboard mechanism can be controversial, with some users finding it less comfortable and prone to issues compared to traditional keyboards.
  • Webcam Quality
    The built-in webcam is of lower quality compared to other laptops, which may be a drawback for users who frequently attend video calls.

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.

MacBook 12" videos

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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 MacBook 12" and Raspberry Pi)
Hardware
79 79%
21% 21
Electronics
51 51%
49% 49
Operating Systems
0 0%
100% 100
Digital Whiteboard
100 100%
0% 0

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raspberry Pi seems to be a lot more popular than MacBook 12". While we know about 23 links to Raspberry Pi, we've tracked only 1 mention of MacBook 12". 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.

MacBook 12" mentions (1)

  • Why can’t I buy Apple care monthly for my MacBook? It let me only yearly subscription….
    You can buy coverage on a fixed-term plan or on an annual plan that will automatically renew until cancelled. Pricing below is for the latest Mac systems. For more details on the latest Mac systems, see apple.com/mac. Source: over 2 years ago

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: over 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 MacBook 12" and Raspberry Pi, you can also consider the following products

MacBook Pro - The new MacBook Pro with TouchBar and more

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

HP Spectre x360 15t - The HP Spectre x360 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop with long battery life and an amazing display. It's very slim and lightweight, which makes it perfect for people that use their laptop on-the-go.

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

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) - Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch) is a laptop and tablet that can handle the modern PC games.

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