As an electronics constructor of an item like a smart lighting system or a mini weather station, you might have heard of Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Both names always surface in the tech/DIY scene. Both are good tools but work differently and suit different project types. Understanding their capabilities allows selection of the best rather than wasting your time and/or money.
Consider the Arduino to be an intelligent small controller. It’s not a computer, but it excels at repeated simple tasks instantly. You flip a switch, it turns on the light. You trigger a sensor, it adjusts a motor. Arduino is ideal when your project demands instant response or precise control.
Here's why Arduino is so useful:
The Raspberry Pi is basically a whole computer. You can hook up a keyboard, mouse, and display screen, and you can work on it like an ordinary desktop PC. It can access the web, play online videos, and even execute code for serious jobs.
Here’s what it provides:
Deciding whether to go with Arduino vs Raspberry Pi largely depends on how you want your project to function. If you just want to easily and speedily access a sensor or motor, choose Arduino. If you require something with the capabilities of a computer and the ability to process multiple tasks at once, choose Raspberry Pi.