I realised a while ago that it's way cheaper to hunt for second-hand intel NUCs, and the resulting machine is way more powerful... And the RAM and storage is upgradeable, if the NUC didn't come with plenty of storage or RAM already...

Basically the only benefit the Pi has is GPIO pins for embedded projects.

Pi is also a fraction of the power consumption (meaning also heat dissipation requirements) and physical size.

Low power draw but ridiculous power supply requirements of 5V5A (depending on the model) with a USB-C connector which isnt a thing outside of this specific application meaning they're going to be expensive and hard to source. They should have just done a barrel plug or put an effing voltage regulator on board like Arduinos.

Low power draw but ridiculous power supply requirements of 5V5A (depending on the model) with a USB-C connector which isnt a thing outside of this specific application meaning
they’re going to be expensive and hard to source.

That's only for the Pi 5 (the highest end unit), and I'll agree that at that level its hard to justify a Pi over a larger computer. Even for the Pi 5 its not that hard to find those Power Supplies. Most laptops today use power supplies that meet or exceed those specs. You're right that those are more expensive than Pi 4 and below Power Supplies.

They should have just done a barrel plug or put an effing voltage regulator on board like Arduinos.

Again, no defense of Pi 5 from me. However, for everything below Pi 5, HARD PASS on a voltage regulator. I don't want that heat in the tiny Pi case. At the lower power requirements of Pi4 and below USB power is fine.

Most laptops today use power supplies that meet or exceed those specs.

Non those are USB-PD power supplies that increase voltage up to 20V in order to deliver more power. No USB standard that I'm aware of offers 5A at 5V.

As far as heat goes, these devices already need heatsinks and case fans, so the difference seems negligible.

Also, good luck using a Pi5 any further than 3ft from a wall outlet unless you want to rig up your own power supply using some 14/2 Romex with a USB C connector soldered to the end.

As far as heat goes, these devices already need heatsinks and case fans, so the difference seems negligible.

Pi 4 and below don't require active cooling. I want to keep it that way.

Also, good luck using a Pi5

Again, I offer no defense of Pi5. I don't use it and don't recommend it.

I'm not sure why you're referring to the Pi4 since it doesn't require this entirely non-standard power supply and isn't their current flagship model. Nobody is asking for old models to be retrofitted with voltage regulators so that they don't have to use a power supply that they already don't need to use.

You say you don't use or recommend the Pi5 and yet you're seemingly arguing that its power supply requirements aren't a big deal and that improvements should absolutely not be made to it.

First, I think we both don't like the Pi5. So we are in agreement on that. If you want we can stop right there on the same page.

I’m not sure why you’re referring to the Pi4

My first post in this thread was talking about Pi low power and small physical size. I was talking about all Raspberry Pis in general. I never put forth the Pi5. You did when you raised the 5V5A requirement. That exists only on the Pi5. You'll also see in that first post of mine is where I disavowed any recommendation of Pi5.

You then went on in your next post about Raspberry Pis needing active cooling and heat sinks. Again, that is only the Pi5, which again, I said I don't support.

So if you're wondering why I keep talking about Pi4 and below is because those are the ones I like. In this thread you keep posting facts about Pi5 (without pointing out that those only apply to Pi5), and so that's why I keep referring to Pi4 (and below).

You say you don’t use or recommend the Pi5 and yet you’re seemingly arguing that its power supply requirements aren’t a big deal and that improvements should absolutely not be made to it.

I'm arguing power supply requirements shouldn't be made to Pi4 (or below). I don't use Pi5.