How to choose the correct Raspberry Pi

[Akzariel]

Hello ! I have a question and does it matter what Raspberry Pi I choose , if its a really big lcd screen like 30 or does it matter on preferences like how many USB hubs u want etc. Thanks to anyone that responds.

[Mykle1]

@Akzariel

If you have your heart set on a Pi then make it a Pi3 B. Some people, like myself, are moving away from the Pi altogether because of its limitations. Tinker Boards, Fitlet PC, mini ITX boards, etc. are all being used these days. I’m in the process of using an old laptop as an experiment. I think the Pi is fantastic but it’s being pushed to its limits with all that is being asked of it.

[Akzariel]

I have not my heart set on a Pi , actually looking for the cheapest and easiest possibility there is.

[lavolp3]

@Mykle1
Mykle, I’ve yet only heard that for the MMM-Globe module, which apparently is too much graphics for a Pi3. Is there any other example?
Or are you referring to the load of multiple modules?

I even use a RasPi 2 and - until now - can’t see why it wouldn’t be sufficient.

[j.e.f.f]

@lavolp3 It all really depends on how much you expect your mirror to do… if you’re just running MagicMirror with a typical set of modules, then the processing power on the 2 or the 3 is more than enough, and is likely a great choice.

However some of the modules are a little more demanding of the CPU. For example, the MMM-FacialRecognition module is more than the pi can handle, to the point where using it to switch profiles is so slow that I’m done looking at the mirror by the time I am recognized and the profile switches.

In my mirror, I am using a Pi 3, and I have it running a bunch of information modules, and a few utility modules. I’ve also installed AlexaPi. Even this causes the Pi to run a little hotter than I’d like… That said, I’ve tried a bunch of stuff “just because I could” but the reality is very little of the demanding things have actually been useful in my household. As I mentioned above Facial Recognition was too slow, but I’ve also found no real reason to set up profile switching either – all of the useful information on my mirror is used by everyone in my household, and I’ve just gotten rid of the non-useful stuff, like the compliments module, which just takes up so much space. AlexaPi serves no actual purpose other than to impress my friends when i show off the mirror… I’ve found no real practical reason to talk to my mirror – all of the information I need when I’m out the door is already on the screen.

In short, a Pi 2 or 3 will be fine for most people. Given that they are both inexpensive, there’s no reason to not go with the Pi 3.

[A Former User]

I think Pi Zero or 1 might not be a good option because default Midori could not handle current ES6 style scripts. It prevents some module working and developers should consider compatibility issues.

I’m using ATB(TinkerBoard) now. It could be a nicer than RPI3. ATB is faster and less hot, But it has just same size(This is the most important point for me) and it needs only small extra amount of budget.

[Mykle1]

@lavolp3 said in How to choose the correct Raspberry Pi:

Mykle, I’ve yet only heard that for the MMM-Globe module, which apparently is too much graphics for a Pi3. Is there any other example?
Or are you referring to the load of multiple modules?
I even use a RasPi 2 and - until now - can’t see why it wouldn’t be sufficient.

See @j.e.f.f’s and @Sean’s answers. :^)

Also, in case you didn’t know, with the advent of the newest version of MM, and its use of Electron 1.7.6, a Pi3 B is virtually unusable. Nevermind a Pi 2 or lower.

https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/4684/electron-cpu-usage.

I’m not bashing the Pi. I did say, " I think the Pi is fantastic . . .". I’m just saying it has its limitations.