The small collection:

Raspberry Pi Zero 2W

Deployment: 25/12/2021 - Status: Retired

[Replaced by Orange Pi]

Always loved Raspberry Pi as an efficient, low power, little Linux Server. However, this one specifically comes with some limitations:

  • 512MB RAM
  • 4-Core 64Bit ARM CPU
  • Slow 2.4GHz WiFi
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • 1x Micro-USB 2.0
  • 1x Mini HDMI
  • 1x Power Micro USB
  • 1x CSI Camera Connector
  • 1x GPIO 40-pin

Despite its very limited amount of RAM and the very slow WiFi (less than 40mbps), it served me well for many years, even if with some hiccups:

  • Terminal-Only, no desktop for my usage
  • Always Swapping (killed a 128GB Samsung EVO Plus Micro SD, luckily under warranty)
  • Slow WiFi
  • Kept freezing and required a reboot (Pull the plug)

Usage:

  • Docker Containers
  • Background Tasks (Passive Income)
  • Many experiments and emulators (Even learned about binfmt, and could even run AMD64 programs thanks to that!)
  • Little Webserver (APACHE)

Retired:

  • December 2023

Replaced by:

  • Orange Pi Zero 2W 4GB

Price (Time of buy):

  • 23€ including shipping fees

Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
Orange Pi Zero 2W Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Raspberry Pi Zero 2W

Orange Pi Zero 2W 4GB

Deployment: 01/12/2023 - Status: Operational

Intrigued by the specs and deal (28$) this alternative Raspberry Pi Zero 2W like clone got into my hands. Since then, I loved it!

  • 4GB RAM
  • 4-Core 64Bit ARM CPU
  • 2.4/5GHz WiFi 5
  • Bluetooth 5.0 BLE Support
  • 1x USB-C 2.0
  • 1x Mini HDMI
  • 1x Power USB-C
  • 1x CSI Camera Connector
  • 1x GPIO 40-pin

Despite its small price and sizes, those 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM are great, and the WiFi module, handles easily 100mbps. However, it had some problems initially:

  • Not clear enough initial connection setup (All guides mentioned to use an ethernet dongle, which I didn't have, but in the Ubuntu ISO image there was an hidden first_run config file which allowed after editing to enable and connect to WiFi automatically
  • Default apt Huawei Repositories (Thankfully you can change them through Linux configs back to ports.ubuntu.com and it works just fine)

Usage:

  • Even more Docker Containers
  • Background Tasks (Passive Income)
  • Many experiments and emulators (Still using binfmt, and can run AMD64 programs thanks that)
  • Little Webserver (APACHE)

Price (Time of buy):

  • About 27€ including shipping fees after change