What is a Raspberry Pi?

Its a good device for people of all pages to do hands on and explore computing and to learn programming language like python. It’s very much similar to desktop computer and can be used from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.

Raspberry Pi is used mostly for IoT devices as it has the ability to interact with the outside world, and has been used in a wide array of digital maker projects. The original model became far more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for uses such as robotics. It does not include peripherals (such as keyboards and mice) and cases. However, some accessories have been included in several official and unofficial bundles.

The organisation behind the Raspberry Pi is made of two segments. The first two models were developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. After the Pi Model B was released, the Foundation set up Raspberry Pi Trading, to develop the third model, the B+. Raspberry Pi Trading is responsible for developing the technology while the Foundation is an educational charity to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and in developing countries.

According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, more than 5 million Raspberry Pis were sold by February 2015, making it the best-selling computer. By November 2016 they had sold 11 million units, and 12.5m by March 2017, making it the third best-selling "general purpose computer". In July 2017, sales reached nearly 15 million. In March 2018, sales reached 19 million.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation was formed in 2008 after a group of academics and technicians—Eben Upton, Rob Mulins, Jack Lang, Alan Mycroft, Pete Lomas, and David Braben—were concerned about students’ declining interest in computer sciences. Their solution was to come up with a low-cost computer to inspire children and make it more accessible.

The idea was that these tiny computers would allow for easy basic programming. Its low power usage and cost were expected to make Pis more easily available in classrooms.

• surf in the Internet
• Text processing and spreadsheets
• movie / entertainment center ( openelec based for instance)
• electronics projects ( through GPIO hardware )
• much more ...

• Very strong community, built over the past 2+ years
• a lot of information and tutorials, and add-ons and software solutions are available online / can be bought
• based on GNU / Linux - access to many software packages for free, with easy installation
• low power consumption
• noiseless
• cheap

• Broadcom BCM2836 900MHz Quad Core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU
• 1GB RAM
• 4 USB ports
• 40 GPIO pins
• Full HDMI port
• Ethernet port
• Combined 3.5mm audio jack and composite video
• Camera interface (CSI)
• Display interface (DSI)
• Micro SD card slot
• VideoCore IV 3D graphics core

Many new out of the box single board devices are ready to join Internet of things.

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

• Onion Omega 2

• Pine64

• WINO Board

• LATTE Panda

I will choose over any SoC. Here are some reasons:

It is 3rd Generation powerful low-cost, High capability computing board with the highest level of performance, connectivity, power management. Raspberry pi 3 Model B is having BCM2832 ARM cortex version 8 64 bit QUAD core processor with 1.2 GHz of speed.

This board comes with Build in wireless, Bluetooth low energy BLE connectivity and makes the first IoT-ready Raspberry pi.

This version of Raspberry pi is Upgraded to 2.5 Amp switched micro USB power source, 4 USB ports, 10/100 Ethernet port, 4 pole stereo audio & composite video port, CSI camera port, Full-size HDMI Port, Micro USB Port, DSI display port.

Choosing which IoT board completely depends on the type of project you want to make, and your experience in programming. If you have no experience in programming or electronics, you will find the Arduino easier to learn than the Raspberry Pi.

If you want to make a hardware project, then the Arduino is the best choice,If the project requires you to interact with a lot of external hardware, sensors, analog devices, then you should consider using Arduino.

If the project requires a lot to write a complex software code and complex requirements, then Arduino may not be the best options.