The Collection of Pi:
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
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