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Raspberry Pi VS TinyCore

Compare Raspberry Pi VS TinyCore and see what are their differences

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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.

TinyCore logo TinyCore

Simple operating system based on Linux that uses "modules", and loads everything into RAM. Can be persistent too.
  • Raspberry Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-28
Not present

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.

TinyCore features and specs

  • Lightweight
    TinyCore is extremely lightweight, with the smallest version requiring only 11 MB of disk space, allowing it to run on older hardware with limited resources.
  • Fast Boot Time
    Due to its lightweight nature, TinyCore boots very quickly, often in just a few seconds, providing a snappy and efficient startup process.
  • Modularity
    TinyCore follows a modular approach, allowing users to add only the components they need, which keeps the system lean and efficient.
  • Minimalism
    The minimalistic design of TinyCore helps in focusing on essential applications and services, reducing bloatware commonly found in other distributions.
  • Customizability
    Users have the flexibility to customize their environment extensively, tailoring the operating system to their specific requirements.

Possible disadvantages of TinyCore

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Beginners might find TinyCore challenging to use initially due to its minimalistic approach and need for manual configuration.
  • Limited Applications
    The default base system doesn't include many applications, so users will need to manually download and install additional software.
  • Lack of Standard Features
    Features standard in other distributions, like a full desktop environment, are not present by default and require additional setup.
  • Dependency Management
    Due to its modular approach, managing software dependencies can be cumbersome and prone to errors without careful management.
  • Limited Support Community
    Compared to larger distributions, TinyCore has a smaller user community, which might make finding support and documentation more difficult.

Analysis of Raspberry Pi

Overall verdict

  • Raspberry Pi is generally considered a good option for hobbyists, educators, and prototypers due to its affordability and extensive community support. It is an excellent tool for learning programming, electronics, and computer science concepts.

Why this product is good

  • Raspberry Pi devices are praised for their affordability, versatility, and support from a large community. They are popular for educational purposes, DIY electronics projects, and even for use as low-cost servers or media centers. The Raspberry Pi Foundation also provides robust documentation and a wide range of tutorials that make it accessible to users of all skill levels.

Recommended for

  • Students and educators looking to teach or learn computing and programming skills.
  • Hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts interested in electronics and project building.
  • Developers looking to prototype IoT devices and small computing solutions.
  • Anyone needing a low-cost, energy-efficient computer for basic tasks.

Raspberry Pi videos

+ Add

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

TinyCore videos

No TinyCore videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Raspberry Pi and TinyCore)

Raspberry Pi

TinyCore

Electronics
100 100%
Electronics
0% 0
OS & Utilities
0 0%
OS & Utilities
100% 100
Operating Systems
100 100%
Operating Systems
0% 0
System & Hardware
0 0%
System & Hardware
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Raspberry Pi and TinyCore. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

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

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
View more

TinyCore mentions (1)

  • please help me how do i install sudo apt
    "core only" from https://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/downloads.html. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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

DietPi - Dietpi is a debian based operative system made to install new apps easyer.

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

CRUX Linux - CRUX is a lightweight Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at experienced Linux...

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

FatDog64 - FatDog64 is the lightweight 64-bit multi-user Linux distribution.

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