this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2025
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Kids really need to be introduced to Linux earlier. None of this iPad baby shit.
Specifically, kids ought to be using Raspberry Pis. Linux + a bunch of other stuff designed to help them learn about computers, including an actual goddamn book ("Raspberry Pi Beginners Guide") if you buy a Raspberry Pi 500 (the built-into-a-keyboard version).
Raspberry Pis these days are overpriced, a cheaper mini PC/old Optiplex will do fine.
Mini PCs / old Optiplexes don't have built-in GPIO and a huge database of kid-friendly projects to do with them.
It's that software and community and hacker ethos built into the design that makes the difference, not the performance specs of the hardware. The point is "facilitating kids learning about computing," not merely "being a desktop computer."
I mean, I guess you could install Raspberry Pi OS on a PC and add a GPIO breakout board (like this or this) to try to replicate the pedagogical experience of a Raspberry Pi without the "overpriced" hardware, but it's not going to be nearly as straightforward as just using a real Pi.
Good point.
Used enterprise minis are dirt cheap. The only downside is that they guzzle electricity compared to a low spec pi, but they can do much more, so don’t be afraid to give them additional tasks.
My Dell SFF uses close to the same power as my Pi, once you start doing anything with the Pi (like swap to an SSD instead of an SD card). Pi idle: 8w. Dell SFF: 12w. Neither one show up on my power bill. Both of those are less than a single LED light bulb.
Pi is great on power at idle, with nothing else going on. But it can't convert videos at a reasonable pace, doesn't come in a case with mounts, extra power, etc.
Don't get me wrong, Pi is great, it's been fun tinkering with it, a great learning tool. But it's hard to compete with a mini or SFF on a capability-per-watt basis or physical capability (standard brackets, expansion, etc).
Those are heavy LED bulbs you got there at 12W or more. Typically LED bulb is only like 3 - 5 W??
Honestly they don't burn that much power but it will depend on the CPU