• Eben Upton says AI could put young people off tech jobs
• This could hurt the economy due to a shortage of engineers
• Some are overhyping the capabilities of AI tools and technology

Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton has warned AI is making people less likely to pursue tech jobs, and could therefore hurt the economy of the future.

Speaking to the BBC's Big Boss Interview podcast, Upton said that the technology could “distort people's choices in ways that make that skill shortage worse and not better.”

Tech layoffs have surpassed 100,000 in 2026 so far, with many attributed to companies' usage of AI.

AI is putting people off tech jobs

Upton added there is a level of overestimation of what AI chatbots can do, adding that this could “undo a lot of the good work that's been done, not just by Raspberry Pi, but by a lot of other organisations.”

Upton founded Raspberry Pi in 2012 in order to provide an engaging way for young people to get involved in computing and programming.

Those who have built a foundational level of understanding for a tech role during their education who would then expect to further their knowledge in a place of work have found that the positions they would typically apply for are shrinking. The work that a decade ago would have been done by an entry level employee is instead handed off to an AI tool instead.

This in turn creates a self-feeding problem: how do you replace senior staff members that retire or move jobs if there isn’t a pool of talent to pick from?

Upton added his concern for parents worried about the direction their children’s education could take. “You read in the paper: 'What guidance should you give your child about what GCSEs to choose in the context of an AI future?' We have no data to inform a rational decision on that.”

"The answer is: wait five years, wait 10 years, and then maybe we might know something,” Upton added.

When asked if these problems could hurt the economy, Upton responded, “Absolutely. We need a supply of engineers."

• Raspberry Pi 4/5, Pi 500/500+ and more face price increases
• But there's a new Raspberry Pi 4 3GB to optimize cost vs. performance
• Some 'classic' products using stock chips aren't being affected

Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton has announced another round of price increases across much of the company's range, pointing the blame largely at global chip shortages.

The latest increases range from around $11 to $150 depending on the model or RAM, driven by increased LPDDR4 DRAM costs affected by AI-induced demand.

Upton explained that RAM prices for the chips used by the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 have increased sevenfold in the past year, but with higher-RAM models hit hardest due to strained supply, the company has thought creatively and introduced a lower-storage model to keep a lid on costs.

Raspberry Pi launched lower-RAM model in response to rising costs

"While we can’t avoid passing on a portion of these increased costs, we’re also doing engineering work to expand the range of memory-density options available to our customers," Upton wrote.

The new 3GB Raspberry Pi 4 model is now available to buy, slotting beneath the 4GB model and above the 1GB and 2GB variants, for $83.75. As for the latest models in the company's existing lineup, prices have increased across the board:

• Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 (4GB) +$25
• Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 (8GB) +$50
• Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) +$100
• Raspberry Pi 500 (unit only and kit) +$50
• Raspberry Pi 500+ unit only +$150
• Raspberry Pi 500+ kit +$150
• Compute Module 4 and 4S (1GG) +$11.25
• Compute Module 4, 4S, 5 (2GB) +$12.50
• Compute Module 4, 4S, 5 (4GB) +$25
• Compute Module 4, 4S, 5 (8GB) +$50
• Compute Module 5 (16GB) +$100
• Development Kit for Compute Module 5 +$25
• Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2 +$50

There are some products that remain unchanged, including the Raspberry Pi 400 (4GB), Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 (1GB and 2GB) and 'classic' products like the Pi Zero/Zero W/Zero 2 W, Pi 1/3/3B+/3A+ and Compute Module 1/3+.

Upton sees the strain as "challenging but temporary," and expects prices to fall again once memory costs stabilize.

The news follows earlier December 2025 and February 2026 increases, which were blamed on competition for fabrication capacity, as large-scale AI infrastructure continues to absorb a growing share of global memory production.

• LPDDR4 price spikes ripple straight into Raspberry Pi retail tags everywhere
• Higher memory densities now dictate who can afford modern Raspberry Pi boards
• Entry-level Raspberry Pi models survive while mid- and high-end options take the hit

Raspberry Pi hardware prices have risen again following an earlier adjustment made only weeks before, with the changes tied directly to escalating LPDDR4 memory costs.

The company links the increases to competition for fabrication capacity, as large-scale AI infrastructure continues to absorb a growing share of global memory production.

According to statements accompanying the changes, the cost of some memory components has more than doubled within a single quarter, creating pressure across most current Raspberry Pi platforms.

Which models are affected by the new pricing

The latest increases apply to Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 boards, as well as the CM4 and CM5 compute modules and the Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard computers.

Boards equipped with 2GB of RAM now cost $10 more, while 4GB models rise by $15, and 8GB versions increase by $30. Systems using 16GB of memory see the sharpest change, with prices climbing by $60.

As a result, higher-end Raspberry Pi 5 configurations now exceed $200, a level previously unseen within the product range.

Not all devices are affected by the adjustment, as models using lower memory capacities or older standards remain unchanged - so the 1GB versions of the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 retain their existing prices, preserving an entry-level option within the lineup.

Older boards, such as Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi 3, also remain stable, largely because their LPDDR2 memory is already stockpiled in sufficient quantities.

The Raspberry Pi 400 all-in-one computer also avoids the increase and maintains its earlier pricing.

Industry analysts have reported sharp upward revisions in expected DRAM contract prices, driven by expanding data center demand.

Memory manufacturers increasingly prioritize high-bandwidth products for hyperscalers, while standard DRAM and LPDDR capacity becomes more constrained.

Large AI systems now require tens of terabytes of memory per deployment, which reduces the supply available for smaller-scale hardware makers.

This environment leaves limited room for Raspberry Pi to absorb costs without passing them on.

Higher board prices raise questions about affordability for schools, students, and casual learners, who are historically central to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.

Software communities and Raspberry Pi distros may continue to thrive, yet hardware costs increasingly shape who can participate.

Although the company describes the situation as temporary, the timing and scale of the increases suggest that educational access may remain constrained longer than anticipated.

• DDR5 RAM pricing appears to have plateaued in Germany
• That's very different from the past few months of huge price leaps
• At the same time, analyst firms are forecasting major price hikes are still to come, and PCs are feeling the knock-on effects – the Raspberry Pi being the latest victim

There's a hopeful sign that the RAM crisis might be stalling, but don't put too much stock in this idea just yet – especially as we're still hearing about major price hikes for memory, and also PCs, the latest of which is a big leap in cost for the compact Raspberry Pi computer board.

I'll come back to the Raspberry Pi pricing (flagged by Tom's Hardware) later, but first off, let's focus on the better news from the memory market. VideoCardz spotted that German tech site 3D Center, which keeps tabs on the RAM prices at retail in that country, has found that price hikes on DDR5 memory have apparently stalled – at least for now.

Over the past month, based on the cost of a mix of 20 separate DDR5 RAM products at German retailers, pricing has only risen by a marginal 0.1% from mid-January to now.

That's a very different picture compared to the huge leaps seen in the previous few months.

From October to November 2025, we witnessed a 49% rise, followed by a 93% price hike across these products through December 2025, and then a chunky 27% increase in January 2026. Albeit even this latter rise showed that inflation was slowing down, and has now plateaued in February according to 3D Center's figures.

Analysis: a welcome respite, but let's not get carried away

We need to take any such theories about reaching a pricing plateau with some caution, given that this is just one report, based on a slice of the market in a single country.

Of course, you could argue that huge inflationary spikes can only persist for so long, by their very nature – consumers are going to stop buying (in the main) if they feel pricing has become too ridiculous, which will in itself have a levelling effect in terms of supply and demand.

We've seen some evidence of exactly this in the stabilization of very pricey high-capacity RAM kits in recent months, which is at least a glimmer of hope amid all the gloomy news of big price increases.

However, don't forget that, more broadly, analyst firms still believe there's plenty of price misery to come, with TrendForce predicting that DRAM pricing is likely to rise by 50% (or a little more) in the first quarter of 2026.

We've also seen the cost of RAM having a knock-on effect with various products, the latest of which is the Raspberry Pi, the compact and affordable computer board, which has become less affordable due to the cost of its system memory, with the top-tier models, anyway.

Recently announced price increases have hit models of the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, which pack more than 2GB of RAM. The big increases are applied to the top-end boards with 16GB (as you might guess), and they've gone up in price by $60, which means the flagship Raspberry Pi 5 is now $205.

That's 70% more expensive than this model was at launch, so it's not that far off double the price now – and getting way out of cheap-and-cheerful territory, of course.

There isn't much the manufacturer can do about this, though, if they're having to pay a great deal more for the system RAM from the supplier.

• The 'Thought Catcher' is a DIY Raspberry Pi-powered device for capturing late night thoughts
• It has no screen and converts your speech into text, then uploads the transcription to Notion
• With this tool you might no longer need to reach for your phone when in bed

If you’re anything like me then you’re probably familiar with lying awake in bed, mind buzzing, and thoughts coming to you when you’d rather be sleeping. That’s annoying enough in itself, but it’s even worse when you feel compelled to use your phone to record those thoughts – further staving off sleep by looking at its lit up screen. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

As spotted by XDA Developers, Ansh Trivedi has used a Raspberry Pi to create what they call a ‘Thought Catcher’, also known as the TC-01. It’s a device that you place by your bed, and if a thought comes to you, then you can press a button on it and speak to record the thought.

Press the button again when you’re done speaking, and whatever you said will be transcribed by the AI-powered Whisper.cpp service, and sent to Notion, with a beep letting you know that’s been achieved.

Get some screen-free sleep

So there’s no need to reach for your phone, and therefore one less reason to even keep your phone by your bed, which is ideal if you tend to reach for it at night – be that to record a thought or browse social media – when you’d rather not.

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll then find those thoughts in a Notion database, categorized as an ‘idea’, ‘task’, or ‘note’, complete with a summary-style title, relevant keywords, a timestamp for when the note was captured, and – if it’s a task – an urgency level assigned to it, as you can see in the image below.

Of course, this being Raspberry Pi-based, you’d have to make it yourself, much like Trivedi has done. And as well as the Raspberry Pi itself, it also requires a physical button, a microphone, and a buzzer – plus Python code to configure it.

It’s also something that Trivedi is still working on, so future versions may be improved. The full details of how to make this haven’t been released either, but Trivedi says they’ll share that if there’s interest.

It certainly sounds like an appealing device though – especially if a smaller version of it can be produced. Then after that I’ll just need a waterproof one I can use in the shower, as that’s the other time when thoughts tend to come to me.

• The Raspberry Pi Flash Drive offers 128GB and 256GB high-speed options
• Sequential performance reaches the maximum bandwidth of USB 3.0 briefly
• SMART reporting and TRIM support help maintain performance and lifespan

Raspberry Pi fans have a new storage option that combines a compact design and high capacity in a single device.

The Raspberry Pi Flash Drive features an expressive design with an aluminum enclosure and a subtle Raspberry Pi logo.

This flash drive is a compact USB 3.0 device built specifically for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts, offering both 128GB and 256GB storage options.

Sustains USB 3.0 performance

Like many high-density NAND flash storage solutions, it uses a small reservation of pseudo-SLC cache to improve performance during bursty write workloads, streaming data to slower QLC flash in the background.

This approach allows sequential write speeds to reach the maximum USB 3.0 bandwidth for short periods, while it maintains sustained performance even under heavy I/O activity.

Benchmarking this type of configuration proves challenging, which is why the quoted figures reflect sustained write speeds when the cache is fully committed and read speeds measured with an empty cache.

The drive has undergone extensive testing to ensure it withstands sudden removal or power failures, surviving tens of thousands of random power cycles under intermittently intensive workloads.

The device also supports SSD-style SMART health reporting to monitor its lifespan and supports TRIM operations to maintain performance over time.

It automatically enters low-power USB 3.0 states when idle, minimizing energy consumption.

The 128GB variant delivers 16,000IOPS for random 4kB reads, 21,000IOPS for random writes, and up to 75MB/s sequential write speed.

The 256GB version achieves 18,000IOPS reads, 22,000IOPS writes, and 150MB/s sequential writes.

Both models use a USB 3.0 Gen1×1 interface with a type-A connector and support the USB Attached SCSI Protocol, with fallback to USB Mass Storage.

The drive can store, transfer, or back up data, and it can also run operating systems and other Raspberry Pi distros directly.

This delivers storage flexibility similar to SSDs or standard hard drives without sacrificing portability.

The device also features a durable enclosure that resists physical damage and a small attachment hole that allows the drive to attach to a keyring or similar accessory for safety.

The Raspberry Pi Flash Drive is available now from Raspberry Pi Approved Resellers at $30 for the 128GB version and $55 for the 256GB option.

• Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2 allows Raspberry Pi 5 to run LLMs locally
• Hailo-10H accelerator delivers 40 TOPS of INT4 inference power
• PCIe interface enables high-bandwidth communication between the board and Raspberry Pi 5

Raspberry Pi has expanded its edge computing ambitions with the release of the AI HAT+ 2, an add-on board designed to bring generative AI workloads onto the Raspberry Pi 5.

Earlier AI HAT hardware focused almost entirely on computer vision acceleration, handling tasks such as object detection and scene segmentation.

The new board broadens that scope by supporting large language models and vision language models which run locally, without relying on cloud infrastructure or persistent network access.

Hardware changes that enable local language models

At the center of the upgrade is the Hailo-10H neural network accelerator, which delivers 40TOPS of INT4 inference performance.

Unlike its predecessor, the AI HAT+ 2 features 8GB of dedicated onboard memory, enabling larger models to run without consuming system RAM on the host Raspberry Pi.

This change allows direct execution of LLMs and VLMs on the device and maintains low latency and local data, which is a key requirement for many edge deployments.

Using a standard Raspberry Pi distro, users can install supported models and access them through familiar interfaces such as browser-based chat tools.

The AI HAT+ 2 connects to the Raspberry Pi 5 through the GPIO header and relies on the system’s PCIe interface for data transfer, which rules out compatibility with the Raspberry Pi 4.

This connection supports high-bandwidth data transfer between the accelerator and the host, which is essential for moving model inputs, outputs, and camera data efficiently.

Demonstrations include text-based question answering with Qwen2, code generation using Qwen2.5-Coder, basic translation tasks, and visual scene descriptions from live camera feeds.

These workloads rely on AI tools packaged to work within the Pi software stack, including containerized backends and local inference servers.

All processing occurs on the device, without external compute resources.

The supported models range from one to one and a half billion parameters, which is modest compared to cloud-based systems that operate at far larger scales.

These smaller LLMs target limited memory and power envelopes rather than broad, general-purpose knowledge.

To address this constraint, the AI HAT+ 2 supports fine-tuning methods such as Low-Rank Adaptation, which allows developers to customize models for narrow tasks while keeping most parameters unchanged.

Vision models can also be retrained using application-specific datasets through Hailo’s toolchain.

The AI HAT+ 2 is available for $130, placing it above earlier vision-focused accessories while offering similar computer vision throughput.

For workloads centered solely on image processing, the upgrade offers limited gains, as its appeal rests largely on local LLM execution and privacy-sensitive applications.

In practical terms, the hardware shows that generative AI on Raspberry Pi hardware is now feasible, although limited memory headroom and small model sizes remain an issue.

• Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero join list of banned items, including weapons, explosives and drones
• They stand out for being singled out – not categorized like other listed items
• It seems there were worries over network security

On the official list of banned items for Zohran Mamdani's New York City mayoral inauguration this week were Flipper Zero and Raspberry Pi devices.

However, unlike most of the banned items, these two pieces of tech were singled out by their names, not just grouped under a broader category like 'computing' or 'wireless devices', suggesting something bigger could be at play.

Flipper Zero devices have already been criticized by the government and regulators over potential misuse, like car theft and network breaches.

NY mayoral inauguration banned these two pieces of tech

Raspberry Pi was likely on the list because New York City could have wanted to ban small and programmable devices that have been associated with hacking or radio work. There's also a case of guilt by association, with the Raspberry Pi often appearing in the same circles as the Flipper Zero despite them being technically unassociated.

That said, an ultra-small computer like the Raspberry Pi could be used for wireless interference or credential cloning in conjunction with work carried out by a Flipper Zero.

Still, smartphones and laptops were not included in the banned list despite being able to do everything a Raspberry Pi can do, and more.

"Once a Raspberry Pi is banned, a smartphone sails through security despite being way more powerful, more connected, and more capable of surveillance or disruption," Phillip Torrone of Adafruit wrote, criticizing the list and floating the idea that it could have been AI-generated.

New York City has not officially given a reason for these specific banned items, however Torrone worries other devices could be wrongly singled out next.

• Raspberry Pi shrinks the size of its touchscreen while keeping the same resolution
• It's cheaper and smaller, but it does not introduce new capabilities
• Retailers are already listing the new screen at higher prices

Raspberry Pi has announced a new addition to its display range, a 5-inch version of the Touch Display 2.

The company saysits new offering is a compact, low-cost option for hobbyists and developers who want to embed touch interfaces into projects.

At $40, it undercuts the 7-inch Raspberry Pi model which launched in 2024, although both share the same 720x1280 resolution.

A smaller screen for Pi projects

Apart from its reduced size, the 5-inch variant carries essentially the same specifications as the larger display.

It supports multi-touch input, connects via the DSI port, and draws power directly from the Raspberry Pi board.

Integration with Raspberry Pi OS is designed to be smooth, with no calibration steps or third-party drivers needed.

"Its capacitive touch screen works out of the box with full Linux driver support, no manual calibration required, no hunting through device trees, and no wrestling with incompatible touch controllers," said Gordon Hollingworth, CTO of Raspberry Pi software.

For users already accustomed to working with RPi distros, the device should feel straightforward to set up.

To illustrate the display’s capabilities, Raspberry Pi’s Gordon Hollingworth demonstrated a slideshow application built with the assistance of AI.

The process highlighted how AI can speed up development and provide a foundation for interactive coding, with multi-touch support ultimately working smoothly after fine-tuning.

The screen is being presented as a good fit for compact smart home controls, portable kiosks, or integrated dashboards.

In theory, mounting a Pi board on the back of the display offers an all-in-one system without external peripherals.

For casual projects, this could reduce clutter compared to juggling keyboards, monitors, and portable HDD storage devices.

Yet the hardware itself does not represent a leap forward, as resolution remains fixed at 720p, and touch responsiveness still depends heavily on software layers that may introduce quirks.

As with many Raspberry Pi peripherals, the new display will find an audience among tinkerers eager to explore interactive projects.

However, it is worth noting that the announcement reflects refinement rather than revolution, as the product is cheaper and smaller, but it does not introduce new capabilities.

For those already invested in the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, it may be another piece of the puzzle - but for others, it risks being just another component destined to sit in a drawer after the initial excitement fades.

This device is now available from several Pi retailers. PiShop and CanaKit list it at $50.95, while Vilros is selling it for the MSRP.

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• Hackers installed a 4G Raspberry Pi inside a bank’s ATM switch to gain network access
• The device was disguised and communicated every 600 seconds, avoiding typical detection systems
• Malware used fake Linux names and obscure directories to blend into legitimate system activity

A criminal group recently attempted an unusual, and sophisticated intrusion, into a bank’s ATM infrastructure by deploying a 4G-enabled Raspberry Pi.

A report from Group-IB revealed the device was covertly installed on a network switch used by the ATM system, placing it inside the internal banking environment.

The group behind the operation, UNC2891, exploited this physical access point to circumvent digital perimeter defenses entirely, illustrating how physical compromise can still outpace software-based protection.

Exploiting physical access to bypass digital defenses

The Raspberry Pi served as a covert entry point with remote connectivity capabilities via its 4G modem, which allowed persistent command-and-control access from outside the institution’s network, without triggering typical firewall or endpoint protection alerts.

“One of the most unusual elements of this case was the attacker’s use of physical access to install a Raspberry Pi device,” Group-IB Senior Digital Forensics and Incident Response Specialist Nam Le Phuong wrote.

“This device was connected directly to the same network switch as the ATM, effectively placing it inside the bank’s internal network."

Using mobile data, the attackers maintained a low-profile presence while deploying custom malware and initiating lateral movements within the bank’s infrastructure.

A particular tool, known as TinyShell, was used to control network communications, enabling data to pass invisibly across multiple internal systems.

Forensics later revealed UNC2891 used a layered approach to obfuscation.

The malware processes were named “lightdm,” imitating legitimate Linux system processes.

These backdoors ran from atypical directories such as /tmp, making them blend in with benign system functions.

Also, the group used a technique known as Linux bind mounts to hide process metadata from forensic tools, a method not typically seen in active attacks until now.

This technique has since been cataloged in the MITRE ATT&CK framework due to its potential to elude conventional detection.

The investigators discovered that the bank's monitoring server was silently communicating with the Raspberry Pi every 600 seconds, network behavior which was subtle and thus didn’t immediately stand out as malicious.

However, deeper memory analysis revealed the deceptive nature of the processes and that these communications extended to an internal mail server with persistent internet access.

Even after the physical implant was removed, the attackers had maintained access via this secondary vector, showing a calculated strategy to ensure continuity.

Ultimately, the aim was to compromise the ATM switching server and deploy the custom rootkit CAKETAP, which can manipulate hardware security modules to authorize illegitimate transactions.

Such a tactic would allow fraudulent cash withdrawals while appearing legitimate to the bank’s systems.

Fortunately, the intrusion was halted before this phase could be executed.

This incident shows the risks associated with the growing convergence of physical access tactics and advanced anti-forensic techniques.

It also reveals that beyond remote hacking, insider threats or physical tampering can facilitate identity theft and financial fraud.

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Elecrow’s latest invention, the CrowPi3, is an all-in-one Raspberry Pi 5 platform that bundles many popular Arduino modules in a book-sized suitcase. A 4.3” LCD sits in the center with a camera on top. Modules usually used to introduce electronics, such as a breadboard or an LED matrix, are also included. They are all connected to the Pi through its 40-pin header connector. The unit has a built-in battery pack that should provide hours of fun.

Elecrow is running a Kickstarter campaign that will end on July 5th. The product's main selling point is that it can be used as a hardware enabler for AI designs. How much this is true depends on the software ecosystem that ships with it. Elecrow is smart by using the Raspberry Pi as part of its design. This opens thousands of AI and ML libraries for the younger generation targeted by this product.

CrowPi3: Price and Availability

The CrowPi3 is available in nine configurations on the Kickstarter webpage. The Early Birds offer the most value for money and start at $159 for the basic kit, excluding the Pi computer. An 8GB Pi 5 with battery and a gamepad will add an extra $130.

CrowPi3: Design

The CrowPi3 ships with a transparent plastic cover on the main experiment board, which helps protect the delicate circuits and LCD module while on the go.

Two small magnets hold the cover in place while a rubber strap on top acts as a handle, creating a look similar to a suitcase. The unit measures 28.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 3.8 cm, for a weight of 1.1 kg, and feels solid. The two compartments on the bottom are easily accessible by sliding plastic doors. One holds the Raspberry Pi board, while the other can store small parts.

Elecrow went above and beyond to pack over thirty electronic modules in a small volume. Even more impressive is that they are all connected to the Pi expansion connector. If the Pi is too much of a hassle to work with, then two extra sockets accommodate a Raspberry Pi Pico board or an Arduino, while the breadboard space allows adding other modules easily.

The Raspberry Pi 5 provides over twice the processing power of its predecessor. The CrowPi3 utilizes all of the Pi’s connectors and interfaces; Two HDMI connectors connect to the integrated display and an optional external screen. The user can access only three USB 3 ports, the fourth reserved for the two-megapixel camera. A 4.3-inch 800 x 480 IPS screen offers excellent brightness and viewing angle, although the small viewing area makes reading text challenging.

The case integrates two 3300mAh rechargeable batteries, which should keep the Pi and screen working for several hours. Networking is available using the 1 Gb Ethernet port or the Pi’s Wi-Fi module. A pair of speakers provides stereo sound output, which can be bypassed using a headphone plugged into the 3.5mm headphone jack.

CrowPi3: In Use

The unit turns on by pressing the right-side power button. A long press on the same button turns the unit off. Two red LEDs indicate whether the unit is charging and turned on. The cooling system is always on without temperature control and produces a low but noticeable whining sound from the fan. The built-in screen is more of a gimmick. An external display is recommended for actual development.

The Elecrow ecosystem builds on a customized version of Raspbian OS, specially tailored for interactive learning. The UI ditches the conventional desktop with icons and instead organizes items in what looks like a dashboard with two distinct sections. The left contains AI modules, while the right holds Python-based projects. The user must create an account to start using the CrowPi3.

The most challenging part of setting up the CrowPi3 is getting the OS up and running. Elecrow provides a 40GB image that, although containing a wealth of material, is just too big to be useful. In contrast, the latest Raspbian desktop image with recommended applications is less than 4 GB. Elecrow should provide a lite version of the OS with additional user packages external to the image.

CrowPi3: Competition

Very few platforms exist that are similar to the CrowPi3. With built-in modules that showcase the Pi’s ability to control peripherals and the various extension connectors spread around the case, the CrowPi3 is a unique product. The curated software library also plays an essential part in the product.

The Joy-Pi advanced product is similar to the CrowPi3 and supports Pi 4. It incorporates modules such as touch sensors and ultrasonic range finders and sports an even smaller 1-inch LCD. However, the price is higher than the CrowPi3, at more than $470. It lacks a battery and key components such as a camera to make an AI platform.

CrowPi3: Verdict

With their newest all-in-one station, Elecrow promotes an AI-centric product on a large scale through their Kickstarter campaign. The CrowPi3 feels well-built and oozes quality with many electronic modules, such as the LCD and touchscreen. However, the software support for voice and image recognition sets it apart from the competition. We liked the general appearance and portability of the platform, with a cute handle that completes the suitcase appearance. Don't let the toy appearance fool you; the platform can be used for more serious stuff, such as software development, but with a bigger external screen.

That said, the unit feels overcrowded. Elecrow thinks cramming as many modules into a small space will win over the general public. The fact is that the platform might overwhelm beginners with its complexity. Also, supporting material such as schematics is missing. You are on your own if the unit breaks and you want to do some repairs. Finally, the fan is noisy and will be a distraction.

Buy it as a gift for kids who like building and breaking stuff.

Don’t buy it if you want to get your hands dirty quickly with the Pi5.

Raspberry Pi: Everything you need to know.

• 1-bit Rainbow is offering the tiniest classic Mac on the market
• It has a two-inch display and is powered by a Pico Zero Raspberry Pi
• You can buy a fully assembled unit for just $59

You might have heard the phrase “small form-factor PC” to describe computers that are smaller than the average rig, but someone has just taken the SFFPC concept to a whole new level with a working Mac that features a display measuring just two inches across.

Appropriately dubbed the Pico-Mac-Nano, this tiny computer from 1-bit Rainbow features a 3D printed chassis that faithfully recreates the classic Macintosh look from the 1980s, albeit on a minute scale.

On the inside, the device is powered by a Pico Zero Raspberry Pi, while it packs in a two-inch 480p display for somewhat uncomfortable reading, plus 512MB of memory, a microSD card slot for storage, and a three-volt CR2 battery. It runs the MicroMac 128K emulator, which provides the vintage Mac operating system flavor. That means it’s a fully working computer, although whether it’s actually practical is another matter.

You can buy the fully assembled Pico-Mac-Nano for a mere $59 (around £44 / AU$92) – so much for the Apple tax. Alternatively, 1-bit Rainbow has supplied the 3D printing files if you want to print your own case and flash a regular Pico Raspberry Pi yourself.

There’s even a special Collectors Edition of the Pico-Mac-Nano that comes in a small-scale replica of Apple’s original ‘Picasso’ Macintosh shipping box. This version will set you back a modest $78 (or about £58 / AU$122).

A true small form-factor Mac

As someone who loves and owns both a SFFPC and a Mac, I’m always keeping an eye out for fascinating projects that can bridge the gap between both worlds.

This device, though, might be taking it a little too far even for me. I can’t imagine I’d be able to run many of the best Mac games on it – never mind “can it run Crysis?,” perhaps we should be asking “can it run Chess?”

Still, there’s no doubt that this product is an incredible achievement and shows just what can be done with modern hardware and software. Whether or not you want to 3D print it yourself, you’ll still be getting your hands on a neat little project that makes a faithful nod to the Macs of old.

So, if the miniscule M4 Mac mini isn’t quite small enough for you, perhaps the Pico-Mac-Nano will do the trick. Just don’t expect it to handle DeepSeek R1’s large language model any time soon.

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The new Pi Terminal from Elecrow integrates a 7” IPS touchscreen, a Raspberry Pi CM4 module, and sockets for mini-PCIe cards into one platform. The module packs so many connectors and onboard peripherals that there is no need to add anything else. The acrylic case provides antenna slots for Wi-Fi and GSM, while a small fan ensures the CPU always works within its recommended temperature.

The module's main selling point remains the bright 7” HD display with a five-point touchscreen. With a 400cd/m2 light intensity, it easily outshines similar displays, and at 9W, the module does not consume more than a regular Raspberry Pi board. Targeting the IoT industry, the screen is IP65-rated and comes with optional stereo speakers. The display uses one of the CM4 HDMI outputs, leaving an extra HDMI connector for an external screen.

Elecrow Pi Terminal: Price and availability

Elecrow sells displays to connect to embedded platforms such as the Raspberry Pi through the HDMI port. The Pi Terminal costs $179.90 without the processor module or accessories. Other cheaper displays support only USB peripherals.

Elecrow Pi Terminal: Design

The Pi Terminal ships between two foams that protect the glass panel. Accessories include four antennas, one 12V 24W power supply, and block connectors with screws. The acrylic panel surrounding the display protects the screen's top and bottom. Four metal spacers hold the unit, providing a robust feeling to it. A small fan at the back can be loud at times. The unit measures 19.2 cm x 12.5 cm x 4.6 cm and weighs 665 grams.

Five screws secure the screen to the acrylic back panel. Four antenna connectors, in the form of SMA connectors, are located at the top. The bottom case has laser engravings showing connector pinouts, which is handy if one needs to quickly find where to insert the Raspberry Pi SD card, for example.

Unfortunately, Elecrow has not provided a schematic for the main PCB. The user manual states that the power supply can range from 12V to 18V, while the engraving on the case shows a maximum of 36V. An on/off switch on the left allows powering down the unit while not in use. A push button on the top helps to wake or sleep the OS. Three LEDs on the left give status such as power or Ethernet activity, or can act as a user-actionable indicator.

The PCB design is straightforward under the hood, with the Pi CM4 module located off-center to the left. Two mini PCIe sockets fully utilize the Pi’s high-speed interfaces. A small 5V fan provides airflow to the CPU. A buzzer and a battery holder for a CR1220 lithium cell are present, avoiding time loss when power is removed. Finally, a 40-pin header makes the PI’s GPIOs accessible to the end-user.

Elecrow Pi Terminal: Use

The terminal power consumption depends on the peripherals to which it is connected. With only the Pi connected, the unit consumes about 10W. A complete system with two mini PCIe cards, a USB keyboard, and a mouse brings the total to 15W. The supplied power adapter should be sufficient for doing software development on an IoT product. Deploying the unit in a production environment will require a more robust power adapter. Elecrow has included an option for installing a PoE module next to the Ethernet connector.

We recommend replacing the small fan with something less noisy. The stock 5V fan buzzes a lot, reaching 45 dBA at one meter. A passive cooling solution is superior in all aspects for an industrial setting and should provide a longer lifetime. Screen control for brightness and contrast is nonexistent, and IO voltage protection is unavailable on the Pi’s 40-pin header.

Elecrow does not provide any source code for the UI demo on the micro SD card. Even though the Raspberry Pi compute module has plenty of applications to demonstrate its use as a graphical unit, having example code for peripherals such as the LoRaWan module or the 4G module to test right out of the box would have been great. The newer CM5 compute module provides an easy upgrade to the CM4 since it is almost pin-compatible in the same footprint. The CM5 improves from the previous generation by having over twice the processing power.

Elecrow Pi Terminal: The competition

Elecrow’s Pi Terminal does not lack competitors. Seeedstudio’s Pi screen, the reTerminal, offers similar characteristics, with a multitouch 5” screen powered by the CM4. It provides passive cooling but costs $200, slightly higher than the Pi Terminal. It also lacks a standard PCIe interface like the mini PCIe connector available on the Pi Terminal.

Elecrow Pi Terminal: Final verdict

The Pi Terminal is an excellent example of integrating off-the-shelf parts into a product. Elecrow has extensive experience building embedded displays, which is evident in this product. The CM4 module provides ample processing power, while the abundance of connectors will cover many IoT use cases. The board layout is small, well-organized, and solid. The only drawback is the tiny but noisy fan. Documentations such as the schematic or project source code are also lacking, making repairing or troubleshooting the unit harder.

Buy the Pi Terminal if you need a robust screen and a CPU with excellent support and documentation.

Don’t buy the Pi Terminal if you need an economical, simple-to-use display.

We list the best portable monitors.

Many business backup solutions require a dedicated Windows Server host, but Nakivo’s Backup & Replication (NBR) is far more amenable as it can be deployed to just about any platform you care to name. It will run happily on a Windows host, but also supports Linux, VMware vSphere, Nutanix AHV, AWS EC2, Raspberry Pi and all the main NAS appliance vendors, including Qnap and Synology.

On review is NBR 10.9, which includes bare metal recovery where you use its new Bootable Media Wizard to restore physical Windows and Linux servers from selected backups. Malware protection is now available, with NBR integrating with a range of third-party antivirus products, and all MS365 components, including Teams, can be protected.

Licensing is equally versatile. There are five versions available, with options for perpetual licenses or per-workload subscriptions. Nakivo cuts through any confusion with a cost calculator on its website. We’ve shown the price for an Enterprise 10-server perpetual license with a two-year 24/7 support contract here.

For testing, we chose Qnap’s TS-855eU-RP short-depth 8-bay rack NAS and used the QuTS Hero App Center to load the NBR package. NBR comprises three service components, with a Director for browser-based management, Transporters to handle backup, replication and recovery operations, and Repositories for storing backups.

After adding protected systems to NBR’s inventory, it pushed the transporter service to our physical Windows servers and workstations; note that Mac clients are still not supported. For Hyper-V, the service just needed loading on our host, while for our VMware vSphere host, we only had to provide its credentials for agentless VM backups.

Our Qnap appliance received a default local repository but this was on its system SSDs, so we created another on a large-capacity RAID5 pool. During creation, you must enter the absolute path, which can be found from an SSH session using the Linux List command.

Other possibilities for repositories are local storage, network shares or cloud stores. Ransomware protection comes into play with NBR supporting immutable cloud storage from Amazon EC2 and S3, Microsoft Azure Blob, Wasabi and Backblaze B2.

Creating backup jobs is simple as options are based on the systems in your inventory. Just choose those you want to protect, assign a repository, set a schedule and decide how daily, weekly, monthly and yearly recovery points you want retained.

For our Hyper-V host, we chose the VMs to be included, and protecting our VMware vSphere system only required the host to be selected so any new VMs would be automatically added to the schedule. To use malware protection, you declare a “scan server” to NBR, which has the required antivirus software running on it.

MS365 licensing is separate, with ten users costing £252 per year, and it requires a special SaaS repository to store backups, which we found isn’t currently supported by QuTS Hero 5.1. Nakivo’s attentive support suggested creating an iSCSI target on the appliance and mapping it to a Windows system running the transporter service – hardly elegant, but it does work.

Recovery features are outstanding. Along with files and folders, granular restores can be used for MS365 items, SQL databases and on-premises Exchange objects. Disaster recovery is just as good, with Flash Boot jobs creating new VMs directly from the backup repository and facilities for replicating VMs as clones.

SMBs that don’t want their backup software tied to a Windows Server host will love Nakivo’s Backup & Replication 10.9 as they can run it on almost any hardware platform and OS they want. It’s good value, MS365 protection is handled well and it provides extensive data recovery services.

We also rated the best file-hosting services.

Debian-based Ubuntu is the jumping-off point for many other distributions, including Linux Mint and Zorin OS. The Desktop edition is available in at least two builds: the so-called LTS (Long Term Support) build, which receives support for a minimum of five years from release, and the bleeding-edge release, which comes with nine months of security and maintenance updates. In each case, the build number – 23.10 in the case of this review – denotes the year and month of release, so 23.10 will enjoy support until July 2024, and 22.04 LTS until April 2027. New releases appear every six months for the cutting-edge build, and every other year for the LTS edition.

Both 23.10 and 22.04.3 LTS require 4GB of memory, 25GB of drive space and a 2GHz dual-core processor, despite running on different kernels (6.5 versus 5.17) and desktop environments (Gnome 45 versus Gnome 41/42). Build 23.10 is also running more up-to-date versions of its default applications, Firefox, LibreOffice and Thunderbird. Of these, perhaps the most significant is Thunderbird, which sits at 91 in the LTS release and at 115.2 in 23.10. Thunderbird 115 introduced significant interface improvements and, even if you install the LTS release, we’d recommend updating Thunderbird to at least 115 yourself.

As well as the desktop edition, there are builds for server and IoT platforms, with the latter including Raspberry Pi. The Pi edition is available directly through the Raspberry Pi Imager. There’s also an immutable build, in which the core system files are protected against tampering.

None of the installer’s questions is too taxing. You don’t need to know what kind of security your network uses, as you do for openSUSE, and we didn’t need to play around with the partitioning of our drive to complete the process successfully.

Once up and running, you’re presented with a largely vanilla workspace. Although Ubuntu has its own style, it remains fairly faithful to Gnome’s default look and feel, rather than making a significant departure as Zorin does (or as Nitrux does from KDE Plasma). If you don’t like Gnome, you’ll find alternative builds with a little searching. Kubuntu (kubuntu. org) switches it out for KDE, while Ubuntu Budgie (ubuntubudgie.org) and Ubuntu Cinnamon (ubuntucinnamon.org) naturally use Budgie and Cinnamon respectively. Lubuntu (lubuntu.me), using Qt, and Xubuntu (xubuntu.org), using Xfce, are both Ubuntu-recognized ports for lower powered computers.

Apps can be installed using the built-in App Center or via the Terminal using apt. The App Center, which gives access to both Debian and Snap packages, has been upgraded in 23.10, and certainly feels more engaging than the installer it replaced. There’s a handy “Jump start your desktop” at the top of the homepage that gives direct access to the most commonly installed apps, rather like the recommended software section in Raspberry Pi OS. Other named sections, including a Productivity section, make it easy to find essentials such as alternative browsers, Bitwarden and Slack. Neither Inkscape nor GIMP are preinstalled, but the versions available through App Center match the latest-edition version numbers available from their respective sites.

More good news? On first boot, both of the wireless printers on our network were successfully recognized and set up.

For many newcomers, Ubuntu may well be a byword for Linux, and it’s easy to see why. Installation is a breeze and, once complete, it just works. The new features in this latest release, including the updated App Center and Gnome 45, are subtle but welcome improvements over their predecessors, and the default interface is unflashy and provides few distractions.

Ubuntu was our Labs Winner last time around, and nothing changes here – so long as you’re happy running Gnome. If you aren’t, take a look at KDE-based openSUSE Tumbleweed or Cinnamon-based Linux Mint.

It’s not difficult to find an Ubuntu-based distribution running KDE, Budgie and several other desktop managers, although, as they’re not directly controlled by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu itself, it’s fairer to consider them different products.

We also rated the best Linux PCs.

Rocky Linux is one of the youngest distributions around, first appearing in mid-2021. It’s based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, so in some ways is a natural home for anyone previously running CentOS, a community-supported version of Red Hat terminated in December 2020.

Rocky’s first release was version 8.3, reflecting the fact that it was based on the same version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The version-8 line remains current, despite 8.9 appearing two days after 9.3, which itself is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.3. That’s the version we’re testing here. Planned end of life for the Rocky 9 line is May 2032. For Rocky 8, it’s May 2029.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux uses Fedora source code in its development, so Fedora and Rocky naturally share several touch points. However, where Fedora 39 is built on the 6.6.3 kernel, Rocky Linux 9.3 is built on the same 5.14 Linux kernel as Red Hat 9.3. While this may look outdated, it shouldn’t be an issue, as Red Hat uses a system known as backporting to implement fixes and features within the existing kernel while maintaining compatibility with overlaying applications.

Installation is straightforward. There’s no media builder as there is for Fedora, so it’s a case of downloading the ISO and using balenaEtcher or similar to write it to a bootable thumb drive. The full DVD ISO is a hefty beast, tipping the scales at 9GB. However, there are lighter “boot” and “minimal” builds that can be used to enter rescue mode and install the OS from an alternative source, like an online repository. There are four processor builds, covering x86_64, ARM, PowerPC and IBM s390x servers (although only the first two of these are available for Rocky 8). Dig deeper and you’ll find a build specific to Raspberry Pi in the alternative images library.

Although Gnome is the default window manager, you can swap it out for KDE, Xfce, Mate or Cinnamon.

We opted for the DVD ISO and, once up and running, were dropped into Gnome 40.4, which feels dated if you’re accustomed to Gnome 45. Aside from the operating system, we didn’t have much to show for our 9GB download. Firefox was pre-installed, but there was no email client, office suite or image editor. These are all available through the Software app, and we were glad to see that the version of Thunderbird available through the repository was 115 (which benefits from a significant redesign). However, LibreOffice, had we chosen to install it through the default repository, would have been version 7.1 (the latest build is 7.6), GIMP was one point behind the latest build, and Inkscape was at 1.1.1, while its latest stable release is 1.3.2.

Further hurdles: the two printers on our network hadn’t been recognized upon first booting and updating the system, and we needed to enter their IP addresses in the printer setup dialog to add them to the OS.

Less rocky was this distribution’s turn of pace. Rocky Linux 9.3 returned a respectable 1,097 in the single-core Geekbench test and 3,112 in the multicore test. Despite the different kernels, this was broadly similar to the scores we saw when testing under Fedora, which turned in 1,105 and 3,053 respectively. In either case, we would be surprised if this made a noticeable difference in day-to-day use.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that our verdict is so similar to that for Fedora, which was our runner-up to Ubuntu. They are, after all, the bread in a Red Hat sandwich, sitting at either end of the development chain. If you don’t want to run a Debian-based OS, either would be an excellent choice, being well supported and closely aligned to one of the pre-eminent commercial Linux distributions.

Of the two, we would opt for Fedora. There are three reasons why. First, it got us up and running more quickly. Second, for bundling Gnome 45. And third, for including a wider range of pre-installed default applications, each running a recent build.

We've also ranked the best Linux distro for privacy and security.

It’s not unusual for Linux distributions to be available in several builds. Ubuntu has long-term support and cutting-edge editions, Zorin has Core and Pro builds, and openSUSE has Tumbleweed and Leap. Tumbleweed, which we’re reviewing here, is a continuously evolving build comprising the latest stable version of each component, which is updated as and when new code appears. Leap, which is based on SUSE Enterprise Linux, is a stable release that receives periodic updates.

The version that we installed was running the 6.6.3-1 kernel (the very latest build was 6.6.4 at the time of writing), and is available with a choice of desktop managers, including Gnome, Xfce, Cinnamon, Mate and KDE Plasma 5, the latter of which tops the installer’s list of options. That’s therefore what we chose for our tests. In our installation, this sat on top of the X11 Window System rather than Wayland.

As well as the regular 64-bit and 32-bit builds for desktop use, there are alternative builds for ARM, IBM Z family mainframes, RISC and PowerPC. It will also run on Raspberry Pi.

The installer is logical, but not the most friendly on test. Setting up Wi-Fi requires that you know which security protocol your network uses, and we failed on our first three attempts to boot into openSUSE at the end of the process. Despite the installer apparently completing, our test machine still attempted to start the OS we had previously tested. We solved this by forcing the installer to delete all partitions on our internal drive even if it thought that wasn’t necessary.

Once it was up and running, however, everything was far more logical, and there were only ten updates ready to download, reflecting the fact that the installer was still fresh, having been downloaded just the day before. A further 11 appeared later in the day.

It’s not only core components such as SAMBA, git and the kernel that receive rolling updates in Tumbleweed: bundled applications are likewise cutting edge. Thus, at the time of writing we found LibreOffice 7.6.3.1 and Firefox 120 pre-installed. Email is handled by Kmail, but if you prefer Thunderbird, the version accessible through Discover, openSUSE’s software manager, is version 115.5. The versions of GIMP and Inkscape available through the manager, both of which are options rather than pre-installed software, match the latest releases available through their respective sites.

KDE Plasma should be familiar to anyone switching from Windows, as it features a traditional taskbar and menu. Commonly used applications can be pinned to the bar for easy access, and menu options are filtered as you type to reduce the number of matching applications.

Plasma lets you add secondary toolbars, and also features widgets, with a generous selection pre-installed but dormant. We saw this implementation in Nitrux, which also uses KDE Plasma, although in a significantly tailored form. For our money, the version seen here, where window controls remain attached to the windows themselves, feels more logical.

The comprehensive settings app is supplemented by YaST (Yet another Setup Tool), which provides password protection for more sensitive options, such as configuring the boot loader, administering printers and managing users. Tumbleweed scored 1,167 in the single-core Geekbench tests and 3,241 in the multicore benchmark. This puts it broadly in line with the other distributions on test, suggesting that deployment decisions would be better based on factors other than performance. openSUSE is one of the oldest Linux distributions still being actively developed but, with Tumbleweed, you’ll always be running one of the newest builds available. This is its primary appeal, since other factors such as the choice of desktop managers, and pre-installed applications, are common to many rivals. Although we initially experienced some difficulty with installation, your mileage will likely vary and, once up and running, it was regularly updated – as promised – and as stable as any other distribution on test.

If your preference is for KDE, rather than Gnome, this would be our pick of the bunch.

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Fedora Linux is refreshed every six months, with version 39 shipping in November 2023, 20 years (and one day) since the first iteration’s debut. It was originally a spin-off of Red Hat Linux, but the tables have been turned and it now forms the basis of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and CentOS Stream.

Of the five versions on offer, we reviewed the desktop build, which sits alongside server, cloud, containerized and IoT editions. Each release receives support for 13 months, with version 40 scheduled to appear in April 2024, and build 39 reaching end of life in November 2024.

Fedora has a free-to-download media creation tool, much like Microsoft’s equivalent for Windows, and the Raspberry Pi imager for the single-board computers. This writes the latest build to a bootable thumb drive. Use this to start up, and you’ll encounter one of the best installers we’ve come across. It’s simple, straightforward and painless.

System requirements are 4GB of memory and a 40GB SSD, although Fedora Project notes that it’s possible to run the OS on less than this.

Our installation featured a slim selection of pre-installed applications, including Firefox 119, Rhythmbox Music Player, Boxes virtual machine environment and the latest edition of LibreOffice – release 7.6. However, we needed to install our own email client, as well as common creativity tools such as GIMP and Inkscape. You can do this through the integrated software tool, where we found 61 updates waiting to be processed on first launch. This isn’t as drastic as it sounds, as many of them were fonts and codecs.

The Flatpak package manager is enabled and, if you prefer to update manually, Fedora uses the DNF package manager for RPM.

Where some distributions are just now managing the transition from the X11 display server technology to Wayland, Fedora began that process several releases back, and release 39 marks the 14th edition since it completed the transition. Wayland’s frequently touted benefits, not just by Fedora but in general, include greater security and better performance.

The default desktop environment is Gnome 45, which isn’t a huge step up from 44. There are some welcome touches, though, such as subtly redesigned window elements, where two-tone colorways and full-height sidebars tidy things up. There’s also an improved workspace indicator in the top left corner. Click it once and you get an overview of your open windows, some of which might otherwise be hidden, alongside a quick way to switch between desktops. It’s useful, but you can achieve the same result by pressing the Super key.

There’s also a new Image Viewer, which Fedora notes has also been rewritten for high performance, while Gnome search has also been reworked with a focus on speed. The improvements don’t only apply in the Files app, but across several core Gnome tools, such as Software and Characters.

If you don’t get on with Gnome, there are several alternative builds – Spins in Fedora parlance – running the lightweight XFCE desktop, KDE Plasma or Cinnamon, among others. Cinnamon, as used by Linux Mint, is often touted by advocates of Windows-to-Linux switching as a reason to choose that distro.

There’s also a handful of immutable deployments, which keep OS code and apps separate, as with Nitrix. By making the core of the OS read-only, it can’t be hijacked by malicious actors or corrupted by a bad or incomplete update. The result is a more secure environment, for use in sensitive workplaces such as finance and government.

Fedora scored 1,105 in our Geekbench single-core test and 3,053 in the multicore section. These figures were broadly similar to what we saw in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based Rocky Linux, which, while slightly lagging in the single-core tests, was around 1.8% faster on the multicore tests. In neither case should it make any noticeable difference in day-to-day use.

With one of the best thought-out installers and a wide choice of desktop environments, there’s much to like about Fedora, which is why it’s our runner-up to Ubuntu. The default installation was minimal, but many will appreciate this, and all the tools you could possibly need are waiting in the software manager.

That Fedora is a primary source for Red Hat Enterprise Linux should fill you with confidence, and the fact it’s available with a variety of desktops will make it immediately familiar, whether switching from Windows or a Debian-based rival.

We also the rated the best free office software.

Many distributions are available in full-fat and light editions. Zorin and Linux Mint are good examples, each giving a choice of Gnome- or Xfce-based ISOs. Debian with Raspberry Desktop, which closely resembles Raspberry Pi OS, is different. Available for PCs after a decade as the default OS for the eponymous single-board computer, it uses neither Gnome nor Xfce, but PIXEL, the Pi Improved Xwindows Environment, Lightweight, which itself is based on the lightweight LDXE desktop manager.

Don’t let the “lightweight” moniker put you off. PIXEL sports many features familiar from rival environments, including a menu bar, application menu, desktop icons and context menus. It does lack some frills, though. There are no widgets, as there are in Mint, you can’t snap windows to the edges of the screen for easy arrangement, and it lacks Zorin’s visual flair.

However, it does boot extremely quickly, it has every feature you’re likely to need, and its options and settings are as easy to find as they are to understand.

The operating system’s original name – Raspbian – hint at its Debian roots. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking you were installing stock Debian when working your way through the installer, as there’s no mention of Raspberry Pi to be found.

It’s built on Bullseye (Debian 11) and the Linux 5.10 kernel, both of which are starting to show their age. Debian is currently at 12.2 (Bookworm), on which the regular Raspberry Pi OS for single-board computers is based, and it supports the 6.1 kernel.

Where Raspberry Pi has produced its own imager for setting up Raspberry Pi OS, which also handles user creation, configuring SSH, establishing Wi-Fi credentials and so on, the process for installing Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop is much like that for most other distributions. Download the ISO, write it to a bootable USB drive, and boot the installer from there. Around ten minutes later, we were sitting in front of the desktop, with a full complement of essential applications ready to be used.

The pre-installed office suite is LibreOffice 7.0.4 (the latest is 7.6), Claws is installed to manage mail, and the default web browser is Chromium. Other applications can be installed via the Add/Remove Software tool, or using APT through the Terminal. We opted for the latter to install Firefox and Thunderbird, and in each case it set up version 115. This is particularly welcome where Thunderbird is concerned, as 115 marked a significant interface refresh, which makes the suite a more pleasant environment in which to spend the working day.

Elsewhere, the list of pre-installed apps is a reminder that Raspberry Pi is popular in STEM environments, coding and automation. Both Geany Programmer’s Editor and the excellent Thonny IDE are in evidence, alongside Scratch and Mu. So is the SmartSim circuit designer.

VLC and an image viewer are both pre-installed, but GIMP (for bitmap graphics), Inkscape (vectors) and Shotwell (photos) all need to be installed manually – if you use them. Again, this can be done through the Add/Remove Software utility, but this isn’t as friendly as the equivalent installers in Ubuntu, Mint and co, presenting sometimes extensive lists of options in response to a search, each accompanied by the same default icon. You might occasionally find yourself scratching your head, wondering which you need.

PIXEL includes a Recommended Software tool, which does allow you to sidestep both the software installer and APT for a handful of common applications, but the three mentioned in the previous paragraph are absent. We’d like to see them included in the next refresh.

While we’ve griped about a few aspects of Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop, there’s much to recommend it. It’s extremely fast to boot, the PIXEL interface is refreshingly distraction-free, and it’s compact enough to be a reasonable option for running full-time from a USB thumb drive.

Yes, it’s starting to look outdated in places (note that it was released in July 2022), but Raspberry Pi tells us an update is planned, which is expected, although not guaranteed, to arrive before Easter. In the meantime, if you’re looking to recycle some older hardware as a no-frills workhorse, or want to use the same environment on your single-board computer and desktop, this distro could be just what you’re after.

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• [1/24] The Trigkey Key-N95 is now the best Raspberry Pi substitute at just $129. And best of all, this one comes with Windows 11 Pro (the others didn't come with any OS)
• [1/20/2025] The Teclast one went OOS. So how about this one, for $129.99. It can run three screens. As always stocks are limited.
• [1/18/2025] The Dreamfyre Mini PC is OOS at Amazon. However fear not, I found this Teclast mini PC instead which comes with an N5095 CPU and costs even cheaper at $109.99. Hurry up, stocks are always limited on these deals. The original article continues below

The Raspberry Pi Foundation recently introduced the Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB of RAM, with the increased memory set to benefit heavyweight distributions such as Ubuntu for desktop use cases. But the new model is priced at $120 - nearly twice as expensive as the 8GB one, and very pricey for a single-board computer, which raises the question: could a better device be found for the same price? The answer is a resounding yes.

The Dreamfyre Mini PC (DR02) offers a competitive x86 option with superior specifications and an actual case for $120 $118 on Amazon. Designed for home, educational, and professional use, it is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Celeron N95 processor, capable of reaching speeds of up to 3.4GHz.

The mini PC, which comes with Windows 11, measures 116 x 116 x 46mm, weighs only 0.5kg, and is equipped with 16GB of LPDDR4 RAM and a 512GB M.2 SSD. You can expand the storage to up to 2TB if you need extra capacity. The inclusion of a silent fan cooling system ensures solid performance with minimal noise when under load, making it ideal for quiet environments like offices or study spaces.

• A more expensive Raspberry Pi may not please everyone, so I looked for an alternative x86 model
• The Pi is still great for tinkerers and for enthusiasts
• But I feel that RPi did "An Apple" - 50% more expensive for 2x RAM is quite unexpected

No flashing lights

The device can drive three 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) screens via its triple HDMI 2.1 ports. There are three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a single USB-C port, a 1000MB/s LAN port and a headphone jack. The fuss-free design of the mini PC omits distracting LED lights, making it suitable for professional settings. Wireless connectivity is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

While the Dreamfyre Mini PC is clearly not a direct alternative to the Raspberry Pi 5 - lacking the Pi's GPIO pins and extensive community support essential for hardware projects, prototyping, and educational use - it is a versatile and powerful alternative for those seeking an affordable mini PC for general computing tasks, and it looks good.

There are only two reviews for the Dreamfyre Mini PC on Amazon at the moment, but both are five-star.

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• New Raspberry Pi 5 product doubling the max amount of RAM will cost $120 or your regional equivalent
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• Alternative should also benefit third-party Linux distribution installs

The 16GB version of the Raspberry Pi 5 single-board microcomputer is now generally available, along with Raspberry Pi Carbon Removal Credits, making it possible to offset the carbon footprint involved with producing and disposing of a Pi product.

Raspberry Pi Foundation CEO Eben Upton announced the product and initiative in a blog post, while the company set out its carbon removal plan (with purchase options) on a handy landing page.

Upton said the 16GB model was created to accommodate new use cases made possible by a “threefold” performance increase from the Pi 4 to the 5, such as AI large language models “and computational fluid dynamics, which benefit from having more storage per core.”

Raspberry Pi 16GB’s possibilities

Upton went on to say that, though Raspberry Pi OS already has low base memory requirements, “heavyweight” Linux distributions like Ubuntu will benefit from the additional memory. Though 2GB through to 8GB of RAM may be enough for hobbyist projects powered by a Pi, 16GB is typically the minimum required for a comfortable desktop experience in this day and age.

Plus, Ubuntu is a great Linux distribution for beginners, so I’m glad to hear it get a mention. The 16GB Pi 5 variant sounds like a great low-cost option for anyone looking to dabble in running a Linux desktop environment for the first time.

While the Pi 5’s Broadcom BCM2712 application processor already supported RAM capacities beyond 8GB, Upton claims that Micron “offer[ing] [the company] a single package containing eight of their 16Gbit LPDDR4X die” is what made a 16GB Pi 5 model possible.

Raspberry Pi’s Carbon Removal Credits program

What’s even better than an already quite good product reveal is the announcement of a carbon removal credits program for Pi products.

In the post, Upton acknowledged despite its small size and low weight, the manufacturing, logistics and disposal of Pi units does come with a “small, upfront carbon footprint”. So, now, for just $4 USD or your regional equivalent, you can, through an approved reseller, buy a credit that will mitigate that footprint.

Explaining how this works, Upton said that “we commissioned [decarbonization company] Inhabit to conduct an independent assessment of the carbon footprint of manufacturing, shipping, and disposing of a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, which came to 6.5kg of CO₂ equivalent. When you buy a Raspberry Pi Carbon Removal Credit from one of our Approved Resellers, we pay our friends at UNDO Carbon to begin capturing that quantity of CO2 from the atmosphere using enhanced rock weathering (ERW) technology.”

He also went into precise detail about the ERW process, which here involves spreading crushed basalt on agricultural land to safely store carbon inside rocks that form over a matter of decades, thus removing it from the atmosphere.

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• Raspberry Pi releases new keyboard PC
• Inspired by 80s Tandy 1000 PC
• Raspberry Pi 500 is less than $100

The Raspberry Pi is already well-known for pushing the envelope in what makes a tiny and affordable computer. Now the manufacturer is reinventing itself again with the Raspberry Pi 500, an entire PC fitted into a keyboard that’s available now for purchase. Such an exciting and new idea right? It certainly is, though it’s not the first time this concept has been brought to fruition.

In 1984, 40 years ago, the Tandy 1000 was released by Tandy Corporation and based on IBM’s PCjr, which essentially fit most of the computer parts into the keyboard. The Tandy 1000 was successful in the consumer electronics market and spawned countless models until its eventual discontinuation in 1993.

It used the then-popular home-computer-style case with the keyboard, motherboard, and disk drives in one enclosure, which kept the design simple and prices much more affordable for the time. Despite this level of success, there wasn’t a proper follow-up to this particular model of computer, which is a shame since it was clearly ahead of its time.

In comes the Raspberry Pi 500, which is a complete PC wrapped up in a keyboard with a starting price of just $90 (about £70 / AU$141). It seems to take strong inspiration from the Tandy 1000 but upgrades the concept to its most convenient and affordable form.

The Raspberry Pi 500 is bringing retro back

It comes with a Quad-core 64-bit ARM processor, 8GB of RAM, two micro-HDMI ports, and three USB ports. If you don’t have a monitor, there’s a 15.6-inch portable Raspberry monitor for $100 (about £80 / AU$157).

It’s exciting to see the Tandy 1000-style tech make a comeback — as mini-PCs have already been making a huge splash in the industry thanks to their much smaller size footprint and very reasonable pricing. And it feels fitting that it would be under the Raspberry brand as it’s already well known for its compact PCs, like the Raspberry Pi CM5.

And for a price of less than $100, which is far cheaper than even the best Chromebooks and best cheap laptops on the market, it’s absolutely worth the price of entry. It’s compact form factor and approachable price tag is ideal for productivity work, as well as students looking for an affordable machine to get their homework and class projects done.

Hopefully, the Raspberry Pi 500 will inspire other manufacturers to put out their own version of a keyboard computer. My personal hope is seeing a retro-themed machine designed after the original Tandy 1000, as a tribute to the one that started it all is more than fitting.

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• Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W is a $7 wireless microcontroller
• Designed for IoT projects; aimed at hobbyists and professionals
• Unofficial MicroPython build available now; official support coming soon

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched the Pico 2 W, a wireless successor to the $5 Pico 2 which came out just a couple of months ago. Priced at $2 more, the Pico 2 W is built around the RP2350 microcontroller and includes the same wireless modem featured in the original Pico W.

The RP2350 microcontroller builds upon the legacy of the RP2040, first introduced in 2021. It offers faster cores, more memory, floating-point support, optimized power consumption, and improved security through Arm’s TrustZone for Cortex-M.

For wireless functionality, the Pico 2 W is equipped with the CYW43439 modem, providing 2.4GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. The microcontroller supports programming through C and MicroPython libraries, offering flexibility for enthusiasts and engineers alike.

More to come

Eben Upton, co-founder of Raspberry Pi, said, “Many of the projects and products that people build on top of our platforms - whether that’s our Linux-capable Raspberry Pi computers, our microcontroller boards, or our silicon products - answer to the general description “Internet of Things”. They combine local compute, storage, and interfacing to the real world with connectivity back to the cloud.”

Raspberry Pi’s Pico 2 W, with its low price point and solid capabilities, is an appealing choice for hobbyists and professionals working on IoT projects like smart home hubs, environmental monitoring systems, and wireless weather stations, but Upton hints that this is just the beginning.

“We’re very pleased with how Pico 2 W has turned out. And, where the Pico 1 series ended with Pico W, we have a few more ideas in mind for the Pico 2 series. Keep an eye out for more news in early 2025,” he said.

The Pico 2 W is available to buy now, and for those eager to start experimenting, an unofficial MicroPython build for the new board is already available, with official support expected soon.

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• Raspberry Pi has launched its 5-based Compute Module 5 (CM5)
• Users can get an upgraded I/O board and other accessories for it
• Available to buy from just $45, with multiple configurations

Raspberry Pi has unveiled its latest modular variant of its single-board computer.

Essentially a stripped-back version of the Raspberry Pi 5, the Compute Module 5 (CM5) comes a decade after the first Compute Module, launched in 2014.

CEO Eben Upton said he recognized not all applications are suited to the Pi 5’s design and peripherals, plus users want more control over how and where they set up their SBCs, hence the stripped-down Compute Module.

Raspberry Pi CM5

The simplified design and abundance of configuration options, both in terms of components and hardware accessories, are designed to cater to the needs of Raspberry Pi commercial customers.

The CM5's compact form factor and lack of traditional ports make it ideal for the industrial and embedded sectors, which accounted for around three-quarters (70-80%) of Raspberry Pi sales in 2023.

It uses a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU with 2GB, 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM – Upton suggested that a 16GB variant could become available in 2025. It’s also configurable with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of MLC eMMC non-volatile memory, and includes Gigabit Ethernet and PCIe 2.0 support.

The CEO also confirmed that CM5 is mechanically compatible with its predecessor, CM4, which means that users can upgrade their single-board computers without having to upgrade other parts of their infrastructure. It fits M2.5 screws in each corner of the board for mounting the device.

CM5 is configurable thanks to a new range of accessories, including an upgraded USB-C powered I/O board with a standard 40-pin GPIO connector, two HDMI 2.0 connectors, two USB 3.0 connectors, a Gigabit Ethernet jack with PoE+ support, a microSD card socket and more.

The I/O board is also available with an enclosed case, which positions the ports all on one side of the neat box. It’s sold with an integrated fan, which connects to the board’s four-pin fan connector.

Other equipment includes a cooler, an antenna kit and a development kit, which bundles together a pre-configured CM5, the I/O board, the case, the cooler, the antenna and more.

Priced alone, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 is available to buy from $45.

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Raspberry Pi owners of all stripes can now purchase branded SD cards optimised for the Pi ecosystem directly from sanctioned resellers, with additional performance enhancements promised for the Pi 5 specifically.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced the company has teamed up with OEM card vendor Longsys to ensure the new cards “offer exceptional random read and write throughput” on any and all Pi computers, while support for command queuing (CQ) on the Raspberry PI 5 will push them even further.

Unlocking this additional functionality in the Pi 5’s host controller requires an update to the latest release of Raspberry Pi OS; which does of course mean that users running other Linux distributions are out of luck for the foreseeable future.

Command queuing

CQ-compatible cards can, with the right hardware, take read/write commands in any order from the read/write queue.

The release of the Pi 5 did not initially feature support in its host controller for CQ, which supersedes the legacy SD Host Controller Interface (SDHCI) interface when a compatible card is detected, because of it only previously being available on eMMC devices until a Pi developer decided in 2024 to work on adding the support to Pi OS directly.

While this is good news, the Pi Foundation admit that it’s not quite the speed revolution you might be expecting: “command queuing lets the flash controller hide more of the latency associated with accessing disparate NAND flash pages”, it says, noting that cards are capable of “better throughput” “in theory”.

Pi SD cards

Still, it’s a new product to sell, and the Pi foundation reports that retailers have been instructed to only promote its own cards as well as include them in bundles. At resellers, that appear to be free to price the products with some degree of wiggle room, the new SD cards have been priced around $10/£10 for 32GB and $20/£20 for 64GB.

Other cards may be cheaper, but one that truly adheres to the A2 specification, and allows for command queuing on true A2 cards in Pi 5 computers, may be a worthwhile purchase for those new to the Pi microcomputer or enthusiasts looking to quickly get up and running.

Meanwhile, a brand new, snap-on, durable case made of silicon, the Raspberry Pi Bumper, is now available for the Pi 5. It protects both the Pi “and the surface you’re putting it down on”, and is just $3. The case will also fit the Active Cooler heatsink-and-fan combo for the Pi.

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Raspberry Pi has joined the world of AI with a new camera that processes visual data with AI models on the device. The $70 Raspberry Pi AI Camera was built in collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS). 

The camera embeds Sony’s IMX500 intelligent vision sensor to process images with AI on the chip. That means there is no need for high-end  GPUs or accelerators. It's compatible with Raspberry Pi’s single-board computers, making it relatively cheap and easy to make AI tools that rely on images. 

The AI Camera has around 12.3 megapixels and can film at ten frames per second in 4056 x 3040 or 40 fps at 2028 x 1520. The neural network firmware onboard lets the AI image processing run on the camera. This lets the Raspberry handle other elements of an integrated device, opening up options for Raspberry Pi users who don't want to use the Raspberry Pi AI Kit alone.

Raspberry AI

The on-chip AI processing reduces the burden on the host device and enables real-time data processing without requiring cloud-based computing power. Processing data locally makes for faster, more efficient AI tools. Because it's compatible with much of the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, users can still use hardware and software libraries they are familiar with and enjoy using. For instance, the AI Camera is compatible with popular libraries such as lib-camera and Picamera2.

“AI-based image processing is becoming an attractive tool for developers around the world,” said Raspberry Pi Ltd. CEO Eben Upton. “Together with our longstanding image sensor partner Sony Semiconductor Solutions, we have developed the Raspberry Pi AI Camera, incorporating Sony’s image sensor expertise. We look forward to seeing what our community members are able to achieve using the power of the Raspberry Pi AI Camera.”

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The new CrowVi portable monitor has all the bells and whistles of a modern screen while being simple. The glossy 13.3” FHD IPS panel is bright at 300 nits and offers an 800:1 contrast level. Being thin at less than 10mm and weighing around 350 grams, the monitor can easily be moved around. The IPS technology also provides a great viewing angle and faithful color reproduction. The supplied plastic cover doubles as a stand while protecting the screen.

Although the black 1cm bezel border isn’t the thinnest available, the screen will look great on any office desk. The glossy finish and a ten-point touch-based panel turn it into a fingerprint magnet. Two display ports, a Type-C and a mini HDMI, provide display connectivity. An audio socket and 2W stereo speakers complete the media section. 

The CrowVi 13.3-inch screen is available on the Elecrow website for $139. Two other models are available. The non-touch version will take $114.9 off your wallet, while the 15.6-inch costs $10 less than the 13.3-inch. These displays can readily connect to a small embedded computer, such as the newly released Raspberry Pi 5, also sold by Elecrow. 

CrowVi: Design

The CrowVi 13.3-inch ships with two display cables, one USB power cable, and an HDMI to mini HDMI adapter. A small 5V 10W AC adapter, a plastic cover, and the customary user manual are also included. The wall adapter is only sufficient to power the display, and a beefier adapter is needed if the user wants to power something like a Pi 5 through the display. The 13.3-inch display measures 31cm x 20cm x 1cm and weighs 773g.

The display is well constructed, with the glass touchscreen glued to the metal frame without any screws. The back of the display holds securely to the supplied magnetic cover. The left side hosts two user switches and a Type-C power port. The right side has two display inputs: one mini HDMI, a USB Type-C, and an audio socket.

CrowVi's IPS panel is bright at 300 nits and offers excellent viewing angles. An 800:1 contrast level guarantees an image that stands out in a dark room. Internally, Elecrow uses a 1920 x 1080 FHD panel made by Sharp. The 25ms response time at a 60Hz refresh rate puts the panel beyond serious gaming. The screen shows no white bleeding at corners on a black background.

The USB-accessible ten-point touch panel is accurate and responsive, with no calibration required from the user. The glossy glass surface is the only drawback. At TechRadar-Pro, we are more fond of matte finish displays since they are better for reading while offering less reflection at the expense of being less appealing.

CrowVi: In use

The CrowVi display turns on whenever power is present. The default brightness, contrast, and black level profile are excellent for watching movies, showcasing the sharpness and brightness of the IPS panel. The user can change settings by pressing the side knob. At this point, a simple menu allows changing settings typically available for an LCD screen. One interesting item is the HDR mode, which changes the backlight intensity depending on the image content.

The ten-point touchscreen and stereo speakers work seamlessly with any modern OS, such as Windows 11. The display inputs on the right side allow connecting two hosts to the CrowVi display, and a button on the left side permits switching between the two sources. The Type-C display port is the only one the user should ever need as it can provide display and power to the screen.

The CrowVi power consumption is about 6W, which translates into low heat dissipation and better battery life when connected to portable devices such as laptops and game consoles. The wide input voltage range, from 5V to 20V, makes the unit compatible with many standard and industrial setups. The built-in 2W speakers do not produce noticeable noise even when set to the maximum output.

CrowVi: Competition

What makes the CrowVi display stand out is the build quality and features at a low price. A sub $150 FHD 13.3” display with touch capability is hard to find, whereas a generic 13.3” display costs $155 on Amazon with a coupon applied. Elecrow provides a compatibility table on its website so the user can be sure the display will work in their system.

CrowVi: Final verdict

The CrowVi is an excellent screen that won't break the bank. It works out of the box, providing superb image quality and a touch interface. The low power consumption and built-in speaker make it an essential accessory for crowded spaces like desktops. Its best feature is that it works with only one Type-C connection, providing power, display, and touch input.

The main negative point is the glossy screen, which can distract from serious work. The bezel isn’t the smallest found on a portable display, and while using only a slide button for the menu might be economical, this renders navigating the settings time-consuming.

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Setting up remote access on your Raspberry Pi has just got even easier. 

Raspberry Pi Connect, the free browser-based remote desktop software released for the single-board microcomputer in May 2024, was a welcome release, if limited by requiring a Pi 400, Pi 4, or Pi 5 as a result of requiring the 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS.

However the latest update to the service (via Tom’s Hardware) brings support for 32-bit variants of RPi OS, as well as true SSH support, meaning that even the headless RPi OS Lite can use the service as a straightforward way of setting up remote access without installing third-party software.

Raspberry Pi Connect’s latest beta

As Tom’s notes, this is a timely and welcome change, given that the next best third-party option, RealVNC, scrapped its free home option earlier this month.

There are still some caveats with RPi Connect as it stands. It’s still a beta release, so you’d be wise to expect some hiccups. It also still requires a command-line package install rather than being bundled with the OS. And, perhaps the biggest deal-breaker, because you still need RPi OS, you’re unable to install any of the other contenders for best RPi distribution out there.

Our biggest disappointment with the service remains intact, too. As we noted in our piece on RPi Connect’s original beta release, it requires the creation of a Raspberry PI ID. Something about this seems antithetical to the DIY-computing ethos that the Raspberry Pi Foundation seems to want to go for.

If you’re as pedantic as we are, SSH without any of the RPi Connect baggage has been (and likely always will be) available in Raspberry Pi OS’s preferences, and the settings of most other distributions worth their salt.

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Shares of single-board microcomputer manufacturer The Raspberry Pi Foundation hit 39% on the London Stock Exchange as the company began a “conditional dealing” phase, with shares expected to be widely available soon after rumours began swirling in May 2024.

This rare addition of a tech company to the London Stock Exchange, which, per CNBC, has largely struggled to attract technology companies in recent years, is paying off. Shares were initially priced at 280 pence but, at the time of writing, have reached 390 pence. 

The company was initially valued at £541.6 million. Available shares are split between 45.9 million available ordinary shares sold by the majority shareholder Raspberry Pi Mid Co Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the RPi Foundation, 2.13 million ordinary shares held by other parties, and 11.23 million new shares.

RPi on the LSE

Should demand continue to rise and impact supply, an ‘overallotement’ will allow the RPi Foundation to issue 4.6 million shares valued at £178.9 million.

We shouldn’t be surprised by this exceptional opening performance by the company. CNBC have noted that RPi revenues were up 41% year-on-year as of 2023, with the company posting $265.8 million as their earnings that year.

It’s as yet unclear as to whether the listing of a local technology company on the LSE will attract others from the UK or even further afield. 

Chip giant Arm, which announced an investment in the RPi Foundation in November 2023 (and already saw its hardware used in Pi products), chose to go public on the Nasdaq in the U.S in September of that year. 

When we reported on those rumors in August of that year, the Amazon, Intel, Nvidia and Alphabet vultures were all reportedly circling to invest.

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Raspberry Pi is reportedly on the verge of launching its initial public offering (IPO) in a move that could value the company at £500 million ($626 million).

The company, renowned for its affordable compact computers and its mission to make coding more accessible, could float by the end of May, according to sources familiar with the matter (via The Times), who noted that delays could be possible if market conditions deteriorate.

The report notes that the company, headed up by CEO Eben Upton, has been engaging with potential investors for several weeks.

Raspberry Pi float

Rumors of a potential float come 12 years after the company was founded in 2012, following the 2008 launch of the charitable Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Initially recognized for its educational mission, Raspberry Pi’s devices have become popular among individual consumers, hobbyists and businesses alike.

This won’t be the company’s first attempt at floating on the London Stock Exchange – earlier in 2021, Raspberry Pi was reportedly exploring an IPO, however that was postponed due to post-pandemic semiconductor shortages and rising geopolitical tensions. Three years ago, Upton’s IPO fell around £100 million short of today’s.

Since then, Raspberry Pi has received support from Cambridge-based Arm and Tokyo’s Sony.

In a statement earlier this year, the CEO affirmed the company’s commitment to its core mission, assuring shareholders that the IPO would not detract from its focus.

As anticipation continues, the industry looks on to see the result of Raspberry Pi’s foray into public trading.

TechRadar Pro asked Raspberry Pi to confirm the speculation and to add any further details, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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A short and sweet slice of Raspberry Pi for you this morning - it’s now easier than ever to remote into your device thanks to a newly-revealed access tool.

The new Raspberry Pi Connect service, which is chiefly accessed via a web browser, is, per an official blog post, currently in beta, and included in Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm as a consequence of the operating system moving to the Wayland architecture, which has made the X protocol unavailable.

The less-intuitive methods of remoting in that remain, such as VNC and SSH, are now arguably obsolete for end users looking to make the process of remote access as simple as possible: by the company’s own admission, Raspberry Pi Connect is built with the company’s ‘it just works’ philosophy in mind.

Raspberry Pi Connect

Mind you, maybe as a result of Connect still being a beta release, you’ll still need to run the usual apt commands in the terminal to install the service. Official documentation also states that Connect isn’t compatible with Raspberry Pi OS’s Lite variant.

It’s also the case that Raspberry Pis must be associated with Raspberry Pi IDs for Connect to function - which could be a step too far for power users. It’s usually the case that anything that ‘just works’ in this day and age involves some capitulation to corporate opacity like this, but a Linux beginner may be able to let this lie.

Just like any other remote desktop software, Raspberry Pi Connect’s big feature offering is screen sharing, but there are also small quality-of-life things like copying and pasting between local and remote clipboards. Devices and screen sharing permissions can also be  managed from a web UI.

Notable limitations for the time being include only outputting a single primary display, not supporting on-screen keyboards, requiring a browser that implements ECMAScript 2020 to work, and some key combinations that are intercepted by browsers requiring selection from a toolbar. 

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Everyone’s favourite single-board microcomputer, the Raspberry Pi, just got sinister, as cybercriminals have been spotted selling software for the devices catering to inexperienced criminals looking to dabble in financial crime.

Don’t try this at home, obviously, but the ‘GEOBOX’ software, with proxy and network traffic routing capabilities, is being sold on Telegram for pretty extortionate prices.

For just $80 a month, or $700 as a one off fee, you too can be investigated for theft and fraud offenses by the security firm Resecurity, who supposedly uncovered the use of GEOBOX in ‘a high-profile banking theft impacting a Fortune 100 company’.

And they would have gotten away with it too...

Detailing the discovery in a blog post (via BleepingComputer), Resecurity explained that “[Pis running GEOBOX] served as proxies, significantly enhancing their anonymity. This approach complicated the investigation and tracking process, especially since, by default, GEOBOX devices do not store any logs.”

There’s nothing less cool than a ‘highly capable tool that can complicate law enforcement tracking and investigation’, but that’s what Resecurity says we’ve got on our hands. Well, even less cooler would be buying software that law enforcement agencies are now almost certainly aware of and actively trying to kill. 

However it might be more complicated than that, as GEOBOX doesn’t contain any features that you can’t find in existing software or operating systems. GPS and IP spoofing, Wi-Fi access-point emulation and VPN protocol support might seem scary on paper, but can be of legitimate use, and aren’t anything that you won’t find in other tools or operating systems.

Still, the problem with GEOBOX is that it packages these features in a lightweight Linux distribution with a UI that massively lowers the barrier of entry to committing evil. Resecurity suggests that crimes well-suited to the GEOBOX include the operation of dark web marketplaces, disinformation campaigns, and, of course, financial fraud. Unsurprisingly, we don’t have buying guides for crime.

We’ve run stories like this before, and we suspect this one won’t be the last: Raspberry Pis are cheap and small, so disposable and easily concealed - which are all legitimate strengths of the device. 

This writer likes that Pis can be hidden behind a monitor or television, be basically forgotten about as they’re near-enough silent, and doesn’t think that stories like this should put you off looking into them if you think they seem neat.

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New data suggests that Linux now has a 4.03% share in the operating system market, marking a new milestone for the developer-friendly software.

As ever, it’s StatCounter bringing the data to the table via its February 2024 figures, marking a leap of the leap from 3% in just eight months when, previously, that 3% milestone took thirty years to reach.

Elsewhere, the rest of it holds no surprises, as Windows continues to dominate, with MacOS a distant second, and 6% of all operating systems ‘unknown’.

Reports of Linux are on the rise

Will the growth be exponential? Nobody knows. We are quietly thrilled that Linux distributions are having their day - even if that day won’t ever be as momentous as unseating Microsoft from its throne. 

It likely doesn’t need to do that - Linux has always been aimed at development environments, not general use in the home or the office. That said, we still like that an increase in market share is driving the push to get Linux in the hands of broader audiences. 

We have nothing more to add about how Valve's Proton compatibility layer, baked into its Steam client, is bringing people who play video games to Linux, or how the continued maintenance of UI-friendly distributions such as Ubuntu, which I, the writer, quite like after being a lifelong Windows user until last year, and Linux Mint.

While the idea of "holding Linux dear" might make some users wary, choice is nice. Previously. the perception this three-horse race was ‘basically usable at all times’ / ‘Fisher Price walled-off ecosystem financially unfeasible for most’ and ‘weird command line-driven thingy that requires thought’.

There are still Linux distributions out there striking comical levels of fear into the hearts of millions as though they were witchcraft or a Red Scare, but, in spreading the word to those who have no real idea about Linux, you can suggest and recommend the beginner-friendly distributions - I myself want to try the low-spec, lightweight and sleek-looking Zorin OS Lite on an old laptop.

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A local privilege escalation flaw within the GNU C (glibc) has been disclosed, opening up the possibility of cyberattacks on endpoints with the library installed - quite a large pool, as the library enables critical kernel features across several major Linux distributions.

Per BleepingComputer, the flaw, disclosed as CVE-2023-6246, was found in glibc’s __vsyslog_internal() function, called by the syslog and vyslog functions for logging messages to the system.

The flaw allows, via a buffer overflow, unauthorised users to gain root access - full read, write and execute permissions - across a distribution instance, which is, to use the correct computing term, terrifying.

 The technical stuff

 In its disclosure published on January 30 2024, researchers from security company Qualys wrote that even up to date Fedora installations were exploitable. That’s concerning, but disclosure should expedite a fix.

Making things worse is the fact that, per the disclosure again this vulnerability was backported to 2.36 via another code commit fixing a different flaw in __vsyslog_internal(), stemming from an uninitialized memory read, tracked as CVE-2022-39046.

Buffer overflow, or more data being written to a part of a computer program than it has allocated, allowing for the execution of arbitrary, potentially nefarious code, has always been a serious problem for the decades-old glibc library, to the point where Qualys found that a very similar bug in its code has occurred before, in 1997.

The common solution is to add functions to code that check memory bounds, so that, if an allocation to a buffer would cause an overflow, it’s refused.

The implications

Even if you’re not a programmer, this news should trouble anyone who’s given into the hype and is now running Debian (versions 12 to 13) or a Debian-based Linux distribution, which includes Raspberry Pi OS, as well as other major Linux variants like Fedora (37 to 39) and Ubuntu (23.04 and 23.10) and their offshoots, including the established and popular Linux Mint.

Qualys also pointed out that ‘other distributions are probably also exploitable’, so even though we’ve named some of the popular distributions affected, you may wish to investigate further.

The one saving grace from all of this is that Qualys don’t believe the exploit can be triggered remotely, writing in its disclosure that “to the best of our knowledge, this vulnerability cannot be triggered remotely in any likely scenario (because it requires an argv[0], or an openlog() ident argument, longer than 1024 bytes to be triggered)”.

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The popular Raspberry Pi 5 single-board microcomputer should be in ready supply in 2024, with an estimated 70,000 boards a week being manufactured as we write - a figure that, with any luck, should scale up to 90,000 over the course of the year. 

That's the promise of Raspberry Pi CEO and birth mother Eben Upton, who shared the secrets of the pharaohs with Tom’s Hardware.

Upton attributed the boost to manufacturing numbers in part to Sony - yes, that one - which operates the ‘bakery’ (chortle!), in Pencoed, Wales, where all the mummy and daddy Raspberry Pis live happily ever after.

Hot cakes see steep sales decline as fruity pastry treats back in vogue

To make us jealous, Upton told Tom’s Hardware, “[Reaching 90,000 units manufactured a week]” is mostly due to bringing more test heads online in the auto test pods.” Someone reading this must know what that means, but we like it.

Though he claimed that Raspberry Pi 4s were also seeing similar production increases, he didn’t have the exact figures. Poor Raspberry Pi 4, all they need is to ask for their half of the inheritance and it’s basically biblical.

Tom’s Hardware probed Upton as to why more Pis are being made. To this he claimed that its aggressive manufacturing pace would continue until morale improves "backlogs are fulfilled and the channel (Approved Resellers and others) is in a good stock position.”

Alas, the slippery character managed to back away into a fridge whilst muttering about those meddling tech journalists before we could learn the true, dark, more interesting motive behind this.

Analysis: Hi Approved Resellers and others mate

Can you actually get a Raspberry Pi, right now, in January 2024? Yes. I’m delighted to tell you that the shortage of this niche hobbyist project, that was in full swing throughout the bubonic worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, has eased off considerably in recent months. 

In fact, opening up Pandora’s Checkout Counter was the main catalyst for me both getting one and being anointed, for my strife through the Nine Circles of Linux, as this esteemed publication’s (even if you want to dispute this, we can at least spell-check a strapline) Raspberry Pi correspondent.

And as I can now claim some air of authority on this stuff, I’ll say that, yes, the Raspberry Pi is popular, so you might find that the exact Pi with the exact RAM configuration you want isn’t immediately available from your Friendly Neighbourhood Approved Reseller. I, for my part, had to sign up to stock alerts to get my Pi 4 Model B, but I didn’t have to wait that long, and only had to wait at all because I’m bourgeois filth and wanted 8 gigabytes of RAM with it.

Fast forward to now, checking the same reseller that I purchased my Model B from last year, it’s pretty much the same situation: a Pi 5 is available now, if you’re willing to opt for ‘only’ having 4GB of RAM. Honestly, If you want a Raspberry Pi that badly, just pluck out the ‘numbers go brrr’ mind worm living in your own eyeball and settle for a machine that fits in the palm of your hand and could probably run a manned space mission no matter what configuration you buy it in. (Note from Legal: do NOT try this at home.) 

Or just do what the rest of us ‘enthusiasts’ do when we can’t immediately get the shiny thing we want:  go crawling to the PR machine for a freebie turn the router off for a bit to go and stare at a butterfly.

More from TechRadar Pro

• The Raspberry Pi 5 has ruined my day 
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The CrowVision is a neat little touch screen that unlocks the potential of single-board computers by offering a display with touch capability.  

With an 11.6-inch diagonal length at a resolution of 1366x768 pixels representing a density of 135ppi, the IPS panel is crisp and can be viewed at a maximum angle of 178 degrees. The touch panel is accessible through a USB micro socket, and a mini HDMI provides the only way to connect to a display adapter.

The product is shipped with all accessories to hook to the most popular SBCs. ElecCrow claims compatibility with at least nine models, thanks to an innovative screw technology to mount boards equipped with at least three holes. The display PCB has a built-in 5V 15W voltage regulator, which should be enough to power the latest Raspberry Pi, but no USB hub or speaker.

The CrowVision touch screen from ElecCrow has already raised over USD 10,000 on the CrowdSupply website and will be available by April 2024 for $99. Accessories include a mounting kit, various cables, a small PCB to control the display remotely, and a screwdriver. 

CrowVision: Design

The ElecCrow CrowVision display ships in a foam that guarantees the glass panel will arrive pristine to the end user. A thin plastic film prevents accidental scratches but should be removed once the unit is installed. The black glossy screen measures 29.1 x 15.5 x 2.4 cm with a 1.5 cm edge. At the back, a 3M double-sided tape fixes the display in an appropriate enclosure without screws. The screen weighs 590g and requires a 12V adapter to work.

The package contains four cables, one 12V power adapter, a small screwdriver, a pair of plastic holders, two velcro straps, and a small PCB to control the display remotely. Connectors at the back of the screen are well-labeled, making the supplied paper user manual redundant.

Mounted at the back is the main circuit board, which converts the screen eDP format into the more common HDMI standard. Five push buttons serve as a control for the on-screen display menu and for turning the screen on. The only display input is a mini HDMI 1.4 that supports the native 720p resolution of the LCD. A USB Type-B socket connects the touchscreen to the host PC, while another USB Type-A supplies 5V at 3A. Also present is a 12V DC socket and a 2.5mm audio port.

Central to the user-friendliness of the CrowVision is a system of mobile screw posts held in place by the screen frame. Three screws are positioned on standoffs and move in two rails, arranged horizontally and vertically on the left. The owner can thus securely mount a small computer measuring up to 100 mm x 80 mm at the back of the screen. Since there is some loose where the standoffs meet the metal frame, mounted boards can move a bit.

CrowVision: In use

The screen requires only two connectors plugged into an SBC to turn on. In the case of a Raspberry Pi 4, the supplied micro HDMI to mini HDMI and USB cables come in handy. Even though the display does not contain any moving part, turning it on creates a small bleep which seemingly comes from the LCD power supply. Popular OS such as Linux and Windows support the five-point touchscreen.

The on-screen display provides a simple menu that activates when pressing a menu button on the main board or the remote. Settings like color temperature and brightness can be adjusted by the user and saved to non-volatile memory. Volume level, as well as power, are also controlled from both sites. The power button also controls the USB socket, thus affecting power delivered to an SBC if one is connected.

The quality of the LCD is suitable for the price paid. The IPS technology results in large viewing angles and vibrant colors. The screen has a refresh rate of 60Hz at 250nits of brightness. The panel shows some white bleeding at the bottom, which is noticeable on a black background. Power consumption is a meager 1W, a reasonable amount if the display is always on.

Since the CrowVision display is an unfinished product, an enclosure is typically needed to protect the sensitive electronics at the back while giving a more professional look. ElecCrow provides 3D printing files on their GitHub website if owners want to print their enclosure.

CrowVision: The competition

Displays for embedded PCs, such as the Raspberry Pi, under $100 are readily available from retailers such as Amazon. Any small display that can provide an HDMI input will do. What makes the CrowVision different is its mounting system and accessories; it just works out of the box.

The official Raspberry Pi 7” display is a contender priced under $60. A multi-touch display panel similar to what is available on the CrowVision makes it an interactive platform. The resolution of the Pi display is lower, offering 800 x 480 pixels. It also lacks an audio output, being based on the DSI interface. Finally, there is no way of controlling the display remotely or adjusting settings such as color temperature and contrast.

CrowVision: Final verdict

The CrowVision HD display is an accessory that makes using single-board computers straightforward. The package has everything to start working out of the box. It is relatively simple to assemble and has that professional look that will make any product stand out. At under $100, the price is just right for an 11.6-inch panel. ElecCrow has been creative with the spacers at the back, allowing many sizes of PCBs to be mounted easily.

The main issue with the CrowVision was the resolution, which could have been better. At 1366x768 pixels, using it as a plain old monitor feels a bit overcrowded. A pair of speakers could also have been a great addon. Finally, having more inputs to drive the display would have made it versatile.

Buy it if you need an IPS screen compatible with an incredible number of single-board computers at a relatively low price.

Don’t buy it if you expect a finished product with an enclosure.

We've listed the best portable monitors.

Your sullen adopted teenaged chimp Raspberry Pi son resents you and spends day and night in his room playing online video games with weirdos who he claims 'understand' him.

Yes, haha, dark modes are for emos, The Register has already been there, but I (we?) think giving your Raspberry Pi 5 a theme that won't burn your eyes off, as you can now do, is… good? Provocative.

Dark mode on a Pi has been achievable for some time, but it’s worth getting the latest image of RPi OS (a patch to October’s Debian-based Bookworm release) as it makes this vital feature a simple settings toggle, so you can the arcane and black command-line arts for whatever tedious, niche use you’ve bought it for. 

Obey the Dark (Pi) Lord

Really, this is such a basic feature that any software developer that doesn’t include it at launch in their Pi distribution should be thrown in The Hague, but, per Senior Principal Software Engineer Simon Long in a blog post on the matter, it took prompting from Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton to bump it up the chain. 

‘A few weeks ago, Eben wandered past my desk, and he remarked, “wouldn’t it would be nice if we had a dark theme?”’, writes Long. 

This was followed by manual modifications to RPi OS’ PiXflat theme: the reason for the wait, as he tells it, is because colours in PiXflat are hard-coded in, rather than variables. Hindsight is 20-20, which you won’t have because light mode at 3AM has made you go blind.

“[...] it all interacts, so you find that if you tweak one colour, you then need to go in and tweak four or five others to keep all the contrast correct,” he continues, describing what, to be fair, sounds like a pain to address.

However, “‘there are a few applications, — Thonny [a popular Python IDE] is one —”, he warns, “which don’t use a theme, so cannot be given a dark appearance, but pretty much all our other standard applications will theme as intended.’

But in case you’re thinking ‘if there’s one app that needs a dark mode feature, it’s a goddamn-nabbit, sat-in-front-of-for-hours-usually, Python interpreter’, well, user ‘Kris’ below the line writes: ‘Thonny has dark themes too: Tools –> Options –> Themes & Fonts.’ So, some application developers will have to put in the extra work, but some already have.

The remainder of this update is dedicated to function over features: “improved connections in WayVMC” and Thonny, Mathematica and Scratch 3 all being updated to work on the Pi 5. Plus more byzantine release notes than you can, er - bake into a pie?

More from TechRadar Pro

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The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is an ancient computing rite of passage, recounted from father to daughter to grandchild. To encounter one on a device you own is a throwing down of the gauntlet: ‘you messed up, here’s some indecipherable error code: what are you going to do about it?’

And yes, yes, it is fun to spot them in the wild, thanks, Ars Technica. Point and laugh. Get the sysadmin out of bed. Hahaha. Ha. But no, this is tech journalism! This is serious business!

To this end, version 255 of the Linux-based project systemd has introduced something like it, while warning that, like the very rocks we have tricked to think with circuits and sorcery, the ‘system-bsod’ component is ‘experimental and subject to change. 

Blue screen of life beyond Windows

At first glance, an addendum to a single Linux-based project doesn’t sound groundbreaking, but, as Ars Technica point out, systemd is responsible for system management on many, many Linux distributions, big and small. 

How about Ubuntu - very much the go-to Linux distro for beginners - or Debian-based variants - which includes Raspberry Pi OS, and a number of other distros that play well on the hardware. Yes, even I’ve grown to despise the whole thing, so some guidance on what I’ve ruined and how I’ve ruined is alright, actually.

It might take some time to trickle down to your specific Linux poison (with the emphasis on poison), but if you do any amount of tinkering under the hood, you’ll be grateful for the change, and hopefully want to bang your head against the wall just that bit less.

Elsewhere in systemd version 255, there are vital additions to its data encryption services, including support for TPM 2.0, and quality of life additions to the repart service for automating drive partition management. 

But all that pales in comparison, is so boring, compared to an iconic totem to our reason for being, yeah? Stare into the blue screen, let it take you to another dimension.

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The Khadas Edge2 offers best-in-class CPU performance in a credit-card form factor.

The all-plastic case hosts five connectors and a small fan that is completely silent most of the time. Like similar platforms, the Edge2 requires only one Type-C connection supporting power delivery and Display-Port mode to operate as a desktop PC.

With an octa-core ARM CPU achieving 2.25GHz, up to 16GB of LPDDR4, and 64GB eMMC storage, the Khadas Edge2 can become a high-performance multimedia unit, processing large amounts of data from cameras or sensors. The ARM computer supports one USB3 Type-A, two Type-C, and one HDMI2.1 connector. One peripheral connector for various low-speed I/Os and two MIPI DSI connectors are also available internally.

The Khadas Edge2 ARM PC is available in four models. A Maker Kit containing only the bare PCB assembly sells for $199 for the basic version, with 8GB RAM and 32GB of eMMC. Adding $60 gets you twice the capacity, 16GB RAM and 64GB eMMC. For an extra $50, the owner receives the Edge2 in a small case complete with a cooling fan. An optional docking station is available for $35 that provides wired Ethernet and serial connectivity.

Khadas Edge2: Design

The Edge2 is unbelievably tiny and ships in a compact white box without any accessories. The plastic gun-metal colored case measures 8.9 cm x 6.2 cm x 1.6 cm for 70 gm. Air vents on the top provide airflow generated from the built-in fan. The bottom side of the case holds two rubber pads, allowing the PC to stay on a flat surface without any risk of sliding.

The Khadas ARM PC carries two LEDs at the top to display the current state of the platform. Three push buttons on the right allow turning on and off the PC, resetting it, and changing OS through the function button. A small hole on the side serves as input to the built-in microphone. The bottom cover easily separates from the top by prying a small slot.

The Edge2 board is tailored for makers and hackers by featuring several cameras, displays, and IO connectors, although all of them are internal. On the bottom, a set of pads brings USB 2.0 and UART interfaces to the external world. Such a connector is handy but requires an additional docking station. Another great asset Khadas offers is the availability of product schematics, allowing owners to troubleshoot the board if things go sour.

At the heart of the Edge2 is an 8nm Rockchip octa-core ARM CPU offering higher processing power than similar products. The big-little architecture allows substantial idle power saving by turning off the speedy cores. Khadas has gone above the competition by offering 16GB of LPDDR4 and 64GB of eMMC5.1 storage, something unheard of in the Raspberry Pi world. In addition, a WiFi6 module compensates for lacking a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Khadas Edge2: In use

Turning the Edge2 into a simple desktop PC requires plugging Type-C cables that can provide power and a DisplayPort outlet. The two on-board Type-C connectors have dedicated use, with the right-most for power, while the left connector supports only display and USB peripherals. The unit starts when power is applied. Two multicolored LEDs next to the Type-C connectors indicate the board’s status.

Booting the Edge2 lands the user into Khadas’ OOWOW menu, allowing the installation of several OS on the eMMC memory. Since the Edge2 lacks an Ethernet port, the device gets updates and OS variants through the WiFi 6 connection. Installing Android 12 takes under one minute, turning the Edge2 into a speedy Android box. Other available OS are Ubuntu 22.04 and Windows 11 for ARM.

Khadas is one of the few manufacturers to release product schematics. This priceless document allows tinkerers to understand the innards of the board and provide a guide if repairs are needed. It also serves as a reference to understand the purpose of a particular push button or obscure connector.

Geekbench 6.1.0 for ARM was run on the Edge2, generating scores of 844 in single-core and 3054 in multi-core. The platform outperforms a Raspberry Pi5, mainly in multi-threaded applications. The RK3588S CPU has a built-in neural processor that excels in AI applications, something lacking in a Pi5. We were impressed by the power consumption while running the benchmark, reaching 10W only during the last stages. The Edge2 idles at 1W with only an active SSH session.

Khadas Edge2: The competition

The price of Khadas’ latest ARM computer puts it in the premium category for SBCs. It has some remarkable technologies, such as an NPU and plenty of IO ports, while exceptionally well built. That said, it is difficult to see someone expending just under $200 for an ARM PC right now, especially with the arrival of the Pi 5.

The Raspberry Pi 5 is affordable but will not beat the Edge2 in raw processing power. If you want a mini speedster that consumes little power, the Edge2 is for you. The Edge2 also has other goodies such as an accelerometer, stereo MEM microphones, and the often look-down RTC circuit that will keep time even with no power. Finally, the Edge2 has an eMMC module that will be faster and more reliable than the micro-SD memory found on the Pi5.

Khadas Edge2: Final verdict

The Edge2 is an ARM platform targeting tinkerers and hackers that can turn from an Android box to a Linux workstation within a few minutes. Khadas has done a fantastic job with the OOWOW boot menu, letting users select different OS in only a few steps. It is silent, can fit in a shirt’s pocket, and is a complete solution with an onboard non-volatile memory. The lack of a Gigabit Ethernet could have been a real showstopper, but thanks to the WiFi 6 radio module, wireless throughput should be similar to wired Ethernet.

Buy It If 

You need a desktop replacement with a speedy CPU, and space is at a premium.  

Dont Buy It If 

You want to connect it to hardware and tinker out of the box. 

We've listed the best business computers.

Arm Holdings now has a minority stake in Cambridge, UK’s favourite microcomputing son, The Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Honestly, there’s not a great deal to say here - the press release is still hot out of the oven (do you get it? Because it’s - oh, nevermind), but, since Raspberry Pis have always been powered by Arm chips, perhaps this was always going to happen.

What’s clear from the initial announcement, though, is that it’s in aid of futureproofing Arm’s status in (sigh) the artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) cottage industries.

Generative tAsty pI

“With the rapid growth of edge and endpoint AI applications,” said Paul Williamson, Arm’s GM and SVP of IoT, “platforms like those from Raspberry Pi, built on Arm, are critical to driving the adoption of high-performance IoT devices globally by enabling developers to innovate faster and more easily.”

“Using Arm technology as the foundation of our current and future products offers us access to the compute performance, energy efficiency and extensive software ecosystem we need, as we continue to remove barriers to entry for everyone, from students and enthusiasts, to professional developers deploying commercial IoT systems at scale.”

I want an Arm’s length from IoT

We (the royal we, meaning this jaded tech writer) are wary of this move to make the tired and miserable strategy of ‘put a chip in it’ available to the masses. 

It’s not news that, once a developer tires of or goes bankrupt thanks to its ‘commercial IoT system’, whatever you’ve bought will end up being drastically less useful or reduced to a paperweight, as the only good social media account (it has an NSFW name, so we can’t give it the SEO credit - which I’m sure pleases its operator to no end) will attest.

Will increasingly affordable IoT-facilitating tech mean less bankrupt startups? Probably. Will it also mean a startling increase in e-waste, and even direr prospects for data privacy? Definitely.

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A brand-new microcomputer from Hell needs a brand-new OS. Enter the Raspberry Pi Foundation with Bookworm, the latest (un)cool product label for the next version of the Raspberry Pi OS.

While not surprising, or even exciting news, we still think this is a neat release. It’s a port of the Linux distribution Debian’s latest release, and is thus named after the immortal star of the Toy Story franchise, rather than the world's greatest PopCap game.

Teasing us all with that 'nothing and yet everything has changed' snake oil, the Raspberry Pi Foundation explained that the new OS features significant changes to its software architecture.

All change

Crucially, this means a move from the ancient X11 protocol to Wayland, promising increased performance for Pis 4 and 5 while the Foundation works to support Wayland on lower-power boards - presumably the Pi 3 at the very least.

Our sister site Tom’s Hardware has more on the technical side of Wayland’s implications, as well as this genuine sentence:

“[...]we had early access to a beta of Bookworm and found it to be a great OS. There were some bugs, and we noted this in our review, but that is what happens with beta software.”

Well, we don’t work in sales. Unless you’d like a different mini PC altogether?

Bookworm is a slur

In practice, Wayland in Bookworm offers two useful plugins for the power user: a power plugin reporting under and over voltage readings, as well as a plugin reporting the load and temperature of the Pi 4 and 5’s Videocore VII GPU.

Some applications may be incompatible with Wayland, but the implementation of XWayland, an X11 display server, “automatically” passes graphical elements of X11 apps to Wayland, without the need for additional tinkering from developers.

But wait, there's more

Naturally, just as I logged off to forget the barren hole that the Raspberry Pi microcomputer has left in my heart, our brothers in arms in the ecomm wars broke the news that Ubuntu now supports Raspberry Pi 5 (or will, when you can get your hands on one).

This is good and expected: Ubuntu is probably the Linux distribution most people have heard of, and is something I’d like to explore, perhaps, in a Raspberry Pi 5 review for TechRadar Pro - because I’m currently not touching my current set-up with a barge pole.

 Ubuntu sounds just that bit more straightforward, with an App Center (think ‘app store’, yeah?) for searching for applications via the Canonical App Store (other implementations of this I’ve seen use Flathub as a repository, which also works well).

Ubuntu is just the second domino to fall. Tom’s Hardware predict that ‘a range of Ubuntu respins’, with world-music-infused-electronica-at-Glasto-’93 sounding names like ‘Kubuntu’ and ‘Xubuntu’, will surely follow.

Breaking kayfabe

It may surprise you that I’m about zero to zero point one percent joking when I write stuff like “I’m going to throw this stupid machine in the ocean”. There are cool things to appreciate about the Pi (other microcomputers are available). Some of these are even relevant to this article.

 Installing an operating system on it, for instance, can’t really get easier, thanks to the Raspberry Pi Imager, a lightweight programme allowing for easy download and configuration of various Linux distributions, including the RPi OS Bookworm port, sorted by use-case.

I like that about it, it engenders the reckless “mess around with a new project” feel that the Pi always gives off.

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Reader, I must issue a formal apology. Despite, back in December 2022, reporting comments made in an interview with the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s CEO Eben Upton, who then claimed a Raspberry Pi 5 wouldn’t be coming in 2023, the sad truth is one actually is now coming soon.

I let you down. I let myself down. In my defence, I am an embryo compared to everyone else I work with. I reached for the stars, and the hubris of youth said: ‘no’. My line manager has responded in kind, with such withering ripostes as ‘lol at you’, and ‘so naive’. I deserve all of it, and will be taking some time out for self care.

But I also feel like an idiot, because, about a month and a half ago, I decided, out of my own piggy bank, to get a Model B, mostly because baby needs a Plex server. 

This article, though invariably described as ‘profitable’ by my line manager and ‘good’ by one (1) reader e-mail, was brought to you by experiences that broke my spirit and curiosity for tech, and the aftershocks still rumble on today.

Wake up, new begrudgingly impressive microcomputer just dropped

Even now, I’m frustrated with the relative lack of USB bandwidth for NAS (network-attached-storage) purposes, and Raspberry Pi OS’ idiosyncrasies (such as automatic drive mounting) compared to other Linux distributions like Ubuntu, which I’m starting to play around with as I, someone for whom mathematics is absolutely not a strong point, attempt to learn Python for the 255th time. More on that soon, maybe.

Away from that, it’s one basic thing that annoys me: the board doesn’t have a power button. I didn’t write about this in detail last time because I thought this was very much a first-world-problem: just something that I, a relative amoeba, needed to ‘get with’, as I believe all the middle-aged whippersnappers are calling it.

I did find it difficult, though. I mostly use my Model B headless (that is, ‘SSHing’ into its ‘command line’ from another ‘computer’), it can be a pain to be about to move the Pi elsewhere, or mess around with my external hard drives, and then realise it’s still on. 

After that, it’s a matter of either taking the power cable out (‘badissimo’, as we say in the industry) or going back to the terminal to type ‘sudo shutdown’. It might be cool to know these things, but it’s not cool to have to do them all the time, Dave. It’s soul-sucking. 

However, somewhere, up there in their ivory patisserie, we were heard - because the Raspberry Pi now has one. This is not enough to make me get a Pi 5 and a new case to go with it, but it’s nice.

There are some other things that are making me regret my roguish impulsiveness. To quote the announcement email from a local reseller: “...a 2-3x increase in CPU performance relative to Raspberry Pi 4”, and ‘ a substantial uplift in graphics performance from the 800MHz’.

Ah, right. I wish I could just say ‘big if true’, but I am, as it is known, ‘rattled’. The Pi Model B, and, I’m presuming, all Pis to date, are not amazing at transcoding video in Plex. 

I don’t have technical details for you on that. GPU-accelerated hardware decoding does seem to be possible on the Pi Model B, but I have not, to my knowledge, got this going in Plex, so it may be a software issue. In which case, I should just get a NAS. All I know right now is that anything that isn’t ‘Direct Playing’ in Plex (that is to say, doesn’t need to transcode it for playback using the Pi’s hardware), barely plays at all. 

Faster SD speeds on the Pi 5 is also good (painful) to hear. I’m not using anything other than the card that came with my Model B starter kit, but if I wanted to turn mine into an emulation box, well, okay, I’d have to see how the Model B itself fares with read and write speeds in that context.

Recording dropping my Raspberry Pi Model B from a 42nd floor window and posting it to a social media website as an unbidden sacrifice to the sociopath who owns that website

Slowly but surely, it’s dawning on me that I should have built a NAS of my own and a Nvidia Shield Pro, which is supposedly one of the best Android boxes that they have now. This is a more expensive route, but it’d also save me from acute heart failure. What is money, anyway?

These aren’t the only reasons to upgrade to a Pi 5, and I fear that, if you’ve made my mistake of cheaping out on a Pi instead of a NAS for media centre purposes, you’d be better way backing off. I’ll be keeping an eye on reviews and so on when the device is released in October 2023,  but I think, for now, heading back into the saccharine darkness would send me postal.

(To be fair to our boy, he did get one thing right.)

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The Raspberry Pi 5 has just been revealed, with the latest incarnation of the compact computer board set to go on sale in October.

It’s over four years since the Raspberry Pi 4 hit the shelves (June 2019), and the new Pi 5 promises to be a big step forward over its predecessor for hobbyist makers, as you might expect. Indeed, the Pi 5 is said to be at least twice as fast – or more like three times – compared to the previous version of the board.

Although you wouldn’t guess as much from the outward appearance, which remains much the same at first glance.

So, to break things down into specifics, what exactly are we getting here in terms of upgrades over the previous Raspberry Pi?

Key upgrades to boost performance with your Pi projects

The new engine for the Raspberry Pi 5 is a quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU running at 2.4GHz, and this is a major upgrade compared to the Pi 4 (which if you recall featured a chip that topped out at 1.8GHz). Much of the additional raw performance grunt for the Pi 5 is wrapped up in this new chip, of course.

Furthermore, there’s a VideoCore VII GPU running at 800MHz which will offer a considerable uplift for graphics performance, we’re told.

With connectivity, there are a pair of HDMI outputs, giving you the ability to hook up two 4K displays (at 60Hz, with HDR support), as well as two USB 3.0 ports, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet, along with a microSD card slot. With the latter, SDR104 mode support means SD card performance is doubled, no less.

The Pi 5 also comes with in-house silicon for the first time in the form of the RP1 southbridge (the part of the motherboard facilitating communication with attached peripherals). We’re told this represents a significant leap for peripheral performance, ushering in much faster transfer speeds to external drives for example.

The Pi 5 also boasts a pair of four-lane 1.5Gbps MIPI transceivers, enabling the connection of up to two cameras (or displays). Additionally, a new single-lane PCI Express 2.0 interface is present.

For wireless connectivity, we have Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), with dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi (known as Wi-Fi 5 these days).

The Pi 5 will come in two variants, and as before, one runs with 8GB of system RAM, and the other is more modestly equipped with 4GB, with pricing pitched at $80 / £79 / AU$95 and $60 / £60 / AU$125 respectively. That’s a touch more expensive than its predecessor, but not meaningfully (a $5 bump in both cases).

As mentioned, the Pi 5 will be available to buy in October at some point, but pre-orders open right now.

Analysis: A great-looking device – with a couple of potential Raspberry ripples

With pre-ordering kicking off early, there’s already some pessimism about the availability of units, and the reality of the October launch, and how that’ll pan out with what’s anticipated to be a considerable rush to get the new Raspberry Pi 5. (With past wobbles around stock levels still looming large in the minds of computer enthusiasts, doubtless).

Indeed, there has been a little sourness around the expectation that was previously floated that the Pi 5 wouldn’t be emerging until next year. Some folks went and bought a Pi 4 recently, not wanting to wait until 2024, and are now venting their displeasure at the fact they only had to hang on for another month before the new much-improved board came out. At least in theory, anyway, if production and supply runs smoothly enough.

Still, none of this should take away from the Raspberry Pi 5 looking like an impressive upgrade for the compact board – a very significant one, particularly with the performance boost brought in by the shiny new Arm Cortex-A76 CPU.

The potential sticking point, aside from issues around how soon you might be able to realistically get a Pi 5 shipped, is as The Verge (which spotted the launch) points out, the device gets “pretty hot”. However, there is an option to add an active cooler (mini-fan) to help with thermals (for an extra $5, as pictured above).

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• Raspberry Pi used in Texas ATM burglaries

Three net-savvy tech-Texans have been arrested for allegedly (read: being caught in the act) using a Raspberry Pi to steal thousands of dollars from ATMs in the city of Lubbock.

Per local news outlet EverythingLubbock (via Tom’s Hardware), their spree of ill-gotten gains (thousands of dollars taken from machines in West Texas) came to an end after officers apprehended them in a hotel room containing several Raspberry Pis.

And if you’re wondering whether this is just an execrable Adam Sandler film about three hapless computer programmers in the wrong time, well, it isn’t. Our heroes have been charged with Unlawful Interception, Use, or Disclosure of Wire, Oral or Electric Communications, as well as, simply, Engaging in Criminal Activity - which is an incredible law to have.

When the Raspberry Pi’s involved in a bank heist, that’s larceny (amore)

The relative novelty of this case means that you have incredulous local news reporting it as though the Raspberry Pi is some Dr. Claw invention, but it’s unclear as to just how the defendants pulled this off with everyone’s favourite dinky computer-ma-bob. We doubt you’ll find the software on Github, though.

That’s all the news that’s fit to print, given that, because the case is in the US - a fine, upstanding capitalist democracy: the best - the municipal court documents have been thrown behind a paywall. Look, it’s a slow news day, but not that slow.

Our sister site Tom’s Hardware has forked out, but haven’t gleamed much: not even the 5-0 know how the thefts were possible. However, the records confirm that the defendants really were witnessed stealing $5700 USD from a single ATM, so they’re hardly Q-Branch material.

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You can do all manner of things with a Raspberry Pi, and the tiny computer boards (with various models) have been the engine behind fortune telling projects before – but the latest one is ambitious indeed.

As Tom’s Hardware reports, ‘The Oracle’ is a full arcade cabinet-sized fortune telling machine driven by a Raspberry Pi Zero W and also using old Game Boy components, plus ChatGPT into the bargain.

The end result, which took Evan Holbert three months to build (200 to 300 hours), is a fully realized fortune telling machine which is coin operated and prints out your fortune using a thermal printer.

After dropping in a coin, the user enters their date of birth on a keypad, and the program running on the Pi works out their zodiac sign, then runs a query with ChatGPT to get a horoscope for that sign in the style of HP Lovecraft / Dr Seuss.

The dusting of icing on the top is that before the fortune is printed, the custom Game Boy ROM appears to perform a ‘divination.’

Analysis: Big in the eighties

Anyone who has ever watched the movie ‘Big’ (with Tom Hanks) will doubtless remember the Zoltar fortune telling machine. It’s a real-world invention, in case you’re not aware, and a seriously spooky device in our books.

However, this different spin on the concept is even scarier with ChatGPT thrown into the mix – along with orders to concoct a ‘prediction’ along the lines of HP Lovecraft / Dr Seuss.

We tried a similar ‘tell our fortune’ in that style query with the ChatGPT-powered Bing AI (in Creative mode, naturally). It rambled on (we didn’t specify it to be a punchy reply), and mentioned, among other worrying bits and pieces, “the things that lurk in the shadows of your mind, where madness may irk, for there are ancient horrors that no one can name, that dwell in the dark and play a wicked game.”

Yikes, in a word.

If you’re a suitably skilled modding enthusiast, and have a hankering to build your own haunting fortune telling device, what’s pretty nifty is that the creator has made the project open source – so you can. For the less technically able among us – which is the vast majority, let’s face it – it’s still interesting to see all the nitty-gritty details of the project.

Raspberry Pi sales have seriously floundered since the pandemic, but the good news is that as 2023 has rolled onwards, interest in the tiny computer boards – which offer a number of variations – has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Age-old first-person shooter Doom has, at this point, a history of being run on all sorts of improbable hardware, and the latest achievement is running the game in a keycap.

Yes, you read that right. You may be scratching your head at this point – a keycap, meaning the actual plastic key molds that make up the letters and characters on your keyboard – can’t do anything, right?

Right, but in this case, it’s a keycap with a tiny little computer board embedded inside.

Tom’s Hardware spotted that Bob from TheKeebProject took a Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip, put it in a tiny custom-built PCB (printed circuit board), and inserted that inside a keycap (the slightly larger backspace key).

The tiny RP2040 is able to run Doom, albeit a heavily modified version of the game. In fact, it runs a fork of a Doom port for the RP2040 (by Graham Sanderson), one that’s derived from Chocolate Doom (a ‘minimalist’ port of the game).

Analysis: Doom running on a chip that costs next to nothing

The best gaming keyboards have all sorts of perks, but we’ve never seen a game embedded on a dedicated chip inside a keycap before – this is very definitely a first, and an eye-opening one at that.

Remember, Doom is running on an RP2040 microcontroller with two CortexM0+ CPUs pitched at 133MHz and coupled with just 264K of RAM. This is a computer board that costs less than a buck, and it can run Doom – with caveats, as mentioned above, but still.

Bob observes that the ported version of Doom keeps a lot of the original functionality, such as the resolution of 320 x 200, stereo sound, and network multiplayer is even in here.

Doubtless we'll continue to see the title that changed PC gaming forever running in all sorts of weird ways, because this has definitely become a thing (TM) with Doom in contemporary times. At this point, if Doom was spotted running on a pair of nail clippers, we wouldn’t be too shocked.

It’s official: Linux distros now run on 3% of global desktops - a figure that even rises to 7%, if we’re counting devices running Chrome OS.

The news comes courtesy of new Statcounter data, deriving its findings from tracking code embedded in browsers. Curiously, “desktops” also includes laptops, as it’s difficult to separate them given the nature of the telemetry.

The past year has seen Windows drop from 76.33% of overall market share to 68.23%, while MacOS has seen a sharp rise from 14.64% to 21.32 percent, leaving Linux, ChromeOS, and the nebulous “unknown” category to make up the remaining 10.5%.

While we can’t say we’re going through a period of Linuxmania, or even that this growth will be exponential (this writer categorically refuses to use AI to run that simulation), it’s absolutely the case that Linux is the most user-friendly it’s ever been at present. 

That’s thanks to devices such as the Raspberry Pi and Valve’s Steam Deck, which come with their own tailor-made operating systems (OSes), Raspberry Pi OS and SteamOS, featuring graphical user interfaces designed to resemble Windows at every step, while still offering the tools for tinkering and innate open source software freedom that have been Linux’ unique selling point since it began.

Practice what you preach

When the idea of writing something on the rise of Linux was put to me, the joke was that it would “test my love of Linux”, having bought a Steam Deck, and a Raspberry Pi for different use cases and (spoilers) being pleasantly surprised all round. I would definitely agree with the idea that a lot of work has gone into making Linux palatable not only to the lay lizard businessperson, but the rest of us. 

I started with a begrudging tolerance for SteamOS at first, as there’s currently no official dual-boot wizard available for the Steam Deck. Software compatibility was the first main gripe, but Valve’s compatibility layer for Windows software, Proton, is constantly improving and, in my experience, can even run certain applications better than Windows installed on the Deck. 

Other application launchers designed for gaming, such as Lutris, offer up what appears to be a custom implementation of the long-standing Wine compatibility layer, alongside community installers for various pieces of software. 

Again, Steam and Lutris are not explicitly designed to install business software tools, but I have had luck doing so, in addition to a number of required Windows dependencies and redistributables, to create a portable work environment for use in a pinch.

Sometimes, even all of that is an extravagance. The Steam Deck, for example, like Ubuntu (another popular Linux distribution), has a “Discover'' application, replicating the Flathub software repository, which offers exclusively free software, in an “app store”-like interface for babies.

And there’s a lot on it, essential or otherwise: those external Wine installers, a version of Space Cadet, the Windows 95 pinball game, for your lunch break. But not all of it is fun and games.  You’ll find your office software, your word processors, FTP and torrent clients, and even an open-source fork of 3D modelling software Blender.

I briefly considered making this article a “I turned my Steam Deck into a work laptop” experiential piece, but on top of that being deeply unoriginal, TechRadar Pro functions quite possibly entirely on the use of web applications, so that would be a remarkably dull piece of writing. 

You might therefore think, “I have that same use case at work, so why bother?” But then, the entry-level Steam Deck is £349, and Raspberry Pis are available for as little as £35, so they are fairly cheap options to get a workstation going.

The Steam Deck is very easily turned into a “third display” of sorts running Windows using an application called InputDirector. Though the Steam Deck remains a separate desktop, you can control, via wifi, one set of monitors on another system as well as Steam Deck using one set of peripherals. 

Supposedly there are Linux-based alternatives here, but I don’t run Linux on my primary Desktop so can’t speak for them. In this scenario, the OS you’ll be wanting to use on a laptop for work purposes should probably be the same as the one you run on your primary PC. 

Perhaps as a result of this, I currently have Windows running on my Steam Deck, but if I was going to do that experiential piece, I wouldn’t have too many qualms about going back - certainly not from a business PC perspective. 

Never fear, though, because I have been tinkering with a Raspberry Pi for a little while - partially for personal use but also in pursuit of that rich, creamy content-generated affiliate revenue my corporate paymasters crave. And, I have to say, I’m really taken by it - its size, versus what it can do, and just how Windows-like the stock OS is.

In exploring the capabilities of a Pi, the compact nature of a Pi makes it an ideal choice for an entry-level small business server connected to a powered USB hub. This is best if you have the space to stack drives, but absolutely the cheapest and easiest way to get a NAS (network attached storage) box up and running. 

On Raspberry Pi OS, an SFTP server is as simple as enabling the Secure Shell Protocol (SSH), either in the settings, or directly from the Raspberry Pi Imager when installing the OS to an SD card. This was by far the easiest thing I’ve done across my growing litany of Pis (more on this when I receive one that actually works for longer than 12 hours, but I should note that your mileage regarding reliability will probably vary for the better, and I have just been very unlucky).

While I very much want to save the RPi talk for my inevitable experiential feature, I’ll say this: there’s a culture of fear, and difficulty, and obscurity about Linux that upstart devices like Pis and the Steam Deck are well and truly putting to bed. 

The pulling together of very similar device specifications under a single brand name has, in both cases, inspired robust community and third-party brand support, resulting in a great deal of software tools and accessories designed to accommodate these devices, specifically. Having an issue on these devices’ particular flavours of Linux? Google is your friend (other search engines are available).

Handheld Windows PCs going for the same effect, like Asus’ ROG Ally and the Aya Neo (both targeted at gamers, but computers are computers) aren’t quite getting there. Valve and the Raspberry Pi foundation are companies producing hardware synonymous with quality and long-term support, and that both lower the barrier to entry by selling that hardware at a competitive price point.

Here’s what I’ve learned as a recent, if partial, convert: If there’s an app function you want, I guarantee it will be available, in some form, on Linux, and it’s not the case that you have to exclusively fumble with a command line window to get anything going. If you want Linux to be for you, it can be. I’m still in both camps at the moment, but, honestly? I’m pleased as punch with where Linux is, and optimistic about how far it can go.

Via Ars Technica

Intel has announced that it has ceased production of its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) line of small form factor PCs, intended for use as compact servers, home cinemas, or even a games console.

Intel first started promoting the mini PC line in 2012, although a spokesperson for the company has, in an e-mail response to PCWorld, confirmed an earlier report from Serve the Home that Intel, better known for its component manufacturing business, would be retiring from producing mini computers, as well as PCs entirely.

“We have decided to stop direct investment in the Next Unit of Compute (NUC) Business and pivot our strategy to enable our ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth,” they wrote, signalling an end to Intel’s production of the product line (but not its support for existing units) while leaving others to pick up the baton.

 NUC RIP

We’re spoilt for choice for small-form factor PCs in this day and age. Mini-ITX cases (and motherboards to fit them) are readily available, and capable of being fitted with components to rival systems housed in even the tallest of cases. 

There are also Raspberry Pis, which, although less than available since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic (even if this writer has recently procured one from a UK-based reseller), are quite possibly the smallest workstations we’ll have for some time, but it’s arguable that Intel started the craze. 

Still, with a 10-year-old boy running the product division (‘Hades Canyon’, ‘Phantom Canyon’ and ‘Raptor Canyon’ are all real product names, the technological equivalent of having to order a ‘Harlem Shake’ in a restaurant, and RGB skulls are etched into some cases), perhaps it’s good that it’s been palmed off to third-parties and consumers have more options.

I'm not just being glib: over the years we’ve covered Intel NUCs, the problems have mounted. The shift from Nvidia GPUs to Intel’s own Arc ones corresponded with a rise in price, and an increased focus towards tailoring the line for the gaming market meant larger form factors to accommodate full-fat desktop GPUs.

Intel seemed to have forgotten, by the end, exactly why it started the NUC line. It even lost the gaming battle, with the Steam Deck and ROG Ally offering a fair amount of power in an explicitly-portable form factor. There are worse ways to go than setting those up as a work laptop. 

Really, in current year, Is anyone mourning the demise of the Intel-branded NUC?

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In a newsletter spotted by Tom’s Hardware, Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton announced that the company is recovering from poor sales as it works to clear customer backlogs, hinting at one million units shifted per month from this summer.

Upton prefaces the newsletter by disclosing that Q1 2023 was the company’s worst quarter since 2015, having shipped 800,000 units (the equivalent of a single month’s worth during peak times). 

Even so, predictions for the company are that it will have sold 600,000 units in May alone, and as many as 800,000 units in June. By July, Raspberry Pi hopes to be able to sustain one million units per month for “as long as is necessary.”

Raspberry Pi stock problems are over?

Upton describes the previous two years of having to cope with shortages as “painful,” but proclaims that those days are gone and this year will be its best ever in terms of Raspberry Pi single-board computer and module sales.

He also blamed December 2022 for the reduction in Q1 2023 shipments, with the company having pulled back production to meet holiday demand.

The newsletter reads: “Thanks to Sony’s willingness to stockpile the non-silicon elements of our bill of materials, we have been able to rapidly convert this improved supply into finished goods.”

Sony is responsible for manufacturing vast quantities of Raspberry Pi hardware.

Looking ahead, Upton shared predictions in an interview with YouTuber Jeff Geerling that Q2 2023 shipments should be around two million units - a figure similar to what the company could have expected before the pandemic took hold of the economy. 

For the final half of 2023, Upton reckons that supply should be “unconstrained,” hinting at an approach to factory and manufacturing limitations, though backlogs are expected to be cleared ahead of such a scenario.

Finally, he spoke of the tough decisions he was forced to make as CEO of the company, proudly announcing, “I’m not sorry that we didn’t float the price.” 

Many of the company’s cheapest systems and components are available comfortably within a $10 budget, helping to drive success for the company among educational and research establishments, or just those looking to play around with their favorite Linux distro.

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Cloud storage services are great for ad-hoc backups, accessing key documents from anywhere and easily sharing files with family and friends, but they also have a fundamental issue: you're giving all your files to another company, trusting that they'll treat them properly, and (with the likes of Google and Microsoft) hoping that they won't use your activities to build up an even larger database on you than they have already.

Nextcloud is a free open-source cloud storage platform which you can host yourself, using your own domain and almost any web hosting plan (even many of the cheapest.) There's no need to create an account or hand over any personal or payment data (other than for the web hosting plan, anyway), and no restrictions on sharing the service with friends, colleagues, or anyone else.

The core Nextcloud Files package offers easy uploads, syncing, versioning, and file sharing via customisable links. Collaboration tools include the option to add comments to files, and organize them into projects for easier management. But that's just the start.

Nextcloud can also be extended with apps. A bunch of these come for free: photo viewer, a video player, password policies (impose a minimum length, say), encryption tools, activity logging and more. But Nextcloud Hub, the company’s collaboration platform, includes a host of others: audio and video conferencing, mail, calendars, antivirus, a built-in Office system, Dropbox and OneDrive integration, search tools, and the list goes on.

If your file sharing needs are simple, though, you don't have to bother with any of that. Installing Nextcloud is easy, mostly just a matter of providing a username and password; it'll probably take you less than a minute. After that, there's no wasting time on wading through dashboards with endless cryptic settings: you can use Nextcloud immediately from your web browser, with no need to do anything else.

What do I need to run Nextcloud? 

There are several ways you can run Nextcloud.

You could run the server on your own hardware, perhaps creating a Raspberry Pi-powered file storage platform in your own bedroom. That's as private a solution as you'll get, giving you complete control over your files. It's free, as you're using your own hardware and internet connection. It's also the most complicated option and outside the scope of this article, but if that could be the best approach for you, there's more advice on the Nextcloud site. 

As an alternative, you could get the service from a Nextcloud provider. You'll typically get 2-8GB of online storage for free, with more available at extra cost (prices vary, but basic accounts supporting 50 users start at only $10-$15 a month.) Point your browser at Nextcloud's signup page and the site will recommend a provider. We're not sure why it only shows one by default, but when we clicked 'Change provider', the site displayed eight more. 

The third option, and the one we're exploring in this article, is to sign up for a web hosting plan from your favorite provider, then install Nextcloud on your web space. This isn't a perfect privacy solution, as you're still trusting the host to look after your files. But the provider has far less knowledge of what you're doing than a regular cloud storage service, and by using end-to-end and at-rest encryption you can ensure your files stay private.

Which web hosts support Nextcloud?

Nextcloud's system requirements are much like any other major web app - PHP, a MySQL or MariaDB database and Apache or nginx as a web server - which means you can install it on even budget shared hosting plans.

If you're shopping for web hosts, look for plans which include Softaculous. It's an excellent auto-installer platform which supports Nextcloud, and can install it within seconds. (If the plan says it includes cPanel, but just mentions 'one-click WordPress installation', there's a good chance it also supports Nextcloud. Ask the provider, though, to be sure.)

Other providers support Nextcloud in their own way. We've chosen Hostinger for this review, for instance, because even its starter shared hosting plans include an auto installer which makes it easy to install Nextcloud and many other apps.

Even better, right now you can get one year of Hostinger's Single Shared Hosting plan effectively for free, with our exclusive deal. (You must buy the plan as normal, but you then get a 100% refund via Amazon vouchers.) That's not just a free year of Nextcloud: you can use it to host a regular website as well.

Whatever web host you prefer, there's an important caveat to consider. Most providers have clauses in their contract which say you're not allowed to use their space to store very large files, to host backups or other large content which isn't website-related. For example, A2 Hosting 'reserves the right' to delete any 'large files deemed unnecessary for core website functionality or not containing any valuable data.' Not something you want to hear when you're running a cloud storage system.

Hostinger's policy is more clear. If your account is serving content for other websites, or your account is using more than 10GB of storage, it reserves the right to take action. But if you're storing photos, regular documents, maybe sharing them with friends or colleagues rather than publicly, it's unlikely you'll run into any issues.

How do I install Nextcloud?

We began our Nextcloud journey by signing up for Hostinger's free deal. This worked much like any other web purchase you've ever made, although there was one extremely welcome technical plus.

Sign up for any Hostinger plan and you're offered a choice of data centers. In our case, the list included North America, Brazil, France, Lithuania and India. That's a big step up from most budget hosts, who don't allow you to choose a data center at all. And it also means there's a greater chance that you'll have a location near you, improving performance, which really does matter with something as speed-sensitive as cloud storage.

Hostinger's setup times are minimal, and we were able to access our web space within around 30 seconds of choosing a data center. Its hPanel dashboard is a highlight, too, a cPanel-like platform stuffed with essential website management tools.

We used hPanel to launch Hostinger's auto-installer, and chose Nextcloud from the list. The setup process began very simply, with only four boxes to complete: a title for your site, then an administrator's email address, username and password. (Even there, the last three are filled in by default with your Hostinger credentials.)

There was a small issue on the next screen, which displayed a warning icon and a fairly technical error message: 'Max. PHP Version 7.4.99 (Current 8.0.28).' That worried us, but only for a moment, because immediately underneath was a dropdown list which allowed us to choose an earlier version of PHP (a scripting language used by many web apps.) We chose PHP 7.4 from the list, and the red warning icon was replaced by a reassuring green tick.

One more click, and that was it, job done, Nextcloud installed. Next up: trying it out.

How can I use Nextcloud?

We pointed a browser at our new domain, and Nextcloud prompted us for our login credentials. After entering the username and password we created during setup, the Nextcloud dashboard appeared, and it was time to explore.

If you're used to all the clutter and complications of the WordPress dashboard, Nextcloud will be a relief. Although officially known as a dashboard, it's really more of a desktop; a gorgeous background image, a few icons for handy PDFs you might want to read right now ('Welcome to Nextcloud', Nextcloud Manual' and so on), and a scattering of tiny icons at the top of the screen for key system functions (files, photos, account settings, that kind of thing.)

This good first impression was spoiled a little by Nextcloud's PDF viewer displaying a 'Missing PDF' error when we tried to view the manual. But this odd glitch didn't get in our way. We downloaded the manual in seconds with a couple of clicks, and had no issues viewing it with our own PDF reader. it may not be the best free PDF reader for PDF power-users, but it's a great extra. And when we dragged and dropped a few local PDFs onto our browser window, they were automatically uploaded to Nextcloud, and the cloud PDF viewer displayed them right away. 

Nextcloud's PDF handling wasn't quite perfect, then, but we could still view all our files, and the service had more success handling other file types. It displays photos in a thumbnail view, for instance, making it easier to find what you need. And if you upload a video, Nextcloud can stream it from the browser without having to download the entire file first, a very convenient touch.

Although the browser view worked well for us, WebDAV support means you can also access Nextcloud directly from Windows' File Explorer, Mac Finder and other WebDAV-capable file managers. We didn't spot this at first (the URL is tucked away in Nextcloud's settings), but once we'd tracked it down, we were able to log directly into Nextcloud from Explorer. Our files appeared in the right-hand Explorer pane and we were able to drag and drop, open and edit them as though they were on our own system. This can be slow if they're large, but it's still a nice feature which makes the service much easier to use.

How can I share files with Nextcloud?

Nextcloud allows users to share files via custom links. These can be public (everyone with the link can immediately access the file), or you can share with other users of your Nextcloud, and there are many ways to customize how this works. 

You can password-protect files, for instance, or set the link to expire after a set number of days. 

A Permissions system offers all kinds of controls over what the link recipient can do with the file. If this is a public link, you might allow users to view the file only. But if it's a password-protected link shared only with trusted colleagues, then you can optionally allow them to edit the file, re-share or even delete it.

The link can be shared with individuals, or groups of Nextcloud users. A business could then assign its Nextcloud users to different groups (sales, marketing, accounts), and they're able to share files amongst themselves. It's even possible to share files between different Nextcloud servers, perhaps representing different branches of a company.

This isn't as straightforward to use as some of the competition. Right-click a file or folder in any Google Drive view and you'll get the same Get Link option with the core sharing features you need. Meanwhile Nextcloud tucks its sharing function away in a sidebar, displays a Share icon in one file view but not another, and keeps its rules about how you share (permissions, expiry dates etc) somewhere else entirely.

You'll soon figure out how it works, though, and overall, Nextcloud's sharing tools provide a hugely flexible system which can be reconfigured to suit all kinds of situations.

How good are Nextcloud's apps?

Every feature we've described so far can be accessed from your browser, but Nextcloud's free Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux apps extend the service with one or two valuable extras.

When we installed the Windows app, for instance, it set up a Nextcloud folder on our device, and began syncing it with the cloud. This happens automatically, in the background, without you having to take any further steps. But there are plenty of useful configuration options if you need them, including the ability to ignore particular files or file types, and throttle upload and download bandwidth to reduce any impact on your system speeds.

Some cloud storage vendors reserve their best features for Windows, and somehow forget to migrate them to Mac, but not Nextcloud. Its Mac app looks and feels much like its Windows cousin, and also includes the handy bandwidth throttling feature.

The mobile apps have some handy tricks of their own. Install Nextcloud on your iPhone, for example, and it can automatically upload new photos and videos. That could use a lot of data, but as on the desktop, the app has some helpful settings. You can choose to upload photos but ignore videos, maybe, or tell Nextcloud to only upload when you're using Wi-Fi.

Overall, Nextcloud's apps are fairly basic, and can't begin to live up to the power of the web view. But their syncing abilities worked well for us, and if that's what you're after, they're well worth a try.

How well does Nextcloud perform?

Nextcloud scores highly for features, but how did our Hostinger installation perform in real life?

Uploading a bulky 1GB zip file to our Nextcloud setup took a reasonable 8:15, only a little slower than the 7:40 we saw with Google Drive.

Download speeds were relatively poor at under 1Mbps. Worse, when we tried to download large files like our 1GB zip, the downloads aborted at around the 60MB point. 

What was going on? It's not a general Nextcloud problem (the service has no file size limits at all), so our best guess is it's due to a configuration issue with PHP (the scripting language which powers Nextcloud.) Unfortunately, we couldn't address or even explore that, because you don't get control over that kind of server setting from a shared hosting account.

Although that's disappointing, it won't be a fatal issue for everyone. If you only want to sync photos or normal-sized documents then the chances are you'll never hit this limit. And if it's a concern, upgrading to a hosting account where you do control server settings should resolve the problem. This doesn't have to be expensive - Hostinger's VPS plans start at only $3.99 a month - and the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of time to run performance tests of your own.

If you prefer something simpler, you can also forget self hosting entirely and sign up with a Nextcloud provider. This gets you web space specially configured for Nextcloud, so you can be sure it's glitch-free. Prices vary hugely, but Tab  https://tab.digital  gives you 100GB storage and support for 50 users for a total (not per user) cost of $14 billed monthly.

We've also rated the best free cloud storage.