Eli the Computer Guy criticizes the new 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5 as underpowered and likely to disappoint most users, especially given the rising RAM costs and minimal price difference compared to higher RAM models. He warns that this low-RAM version may create unrealistic expectations and poor performance, urging buyers to invest in better models to avoid frustration and protect the Raspberry Pi brand’s reputation.
In this video, Eli the Computer Guy discusses the recent announcement of a new 1 GB RAM version of the Raspberry Pi 5, expressing strong skepticism and concern about its practicality. He explains that the rising cost of RAM is impacting many sectors, including the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which is trying to keep their devices affordable. However, Eli argues that releasing a Raspberry Pi 5 with only 1 GB of RAM is essentially “kneecapping” the device, making it unsuitable for most users who need at least 4 GB or ideally 8 GB for meaningful projects, especially those involving AI and IoT.
Eli draws a parallel to the Windows Vista era, where hardware requirements increased significantly, but many manufacturers sold underpowered machines that struggled to run the operating system properly. This led to widespread frustration and frequent tune-ups, which Eli experienced firsthand in his computer repair shop. He fears a similar situation might arise with the 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5, where customers will have unrealistic expectations but end up with poor performance, leading to dissatisfaction and complaints.
He acknowledges that for professionals who optimize their projects carefully, a 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5 might be usable, especially in large-scale IoT deployments where precise RAM requirements are known. However, for the average user or parent buying a Raspberry Pi for educational or hobbyist purposes, this low RAM version will likely cause frustration. Eli emphasizes that the expectation mismatch is the core issue, as people might assume the 1 GB model will perform similarly to higher RAM versions, which is not the case.
Eli also reviews the price increases across the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 models, noting that while prices have gone up due to memory cost pressures, the price difference between the 1 GB and higher RAM versions is relatively small. He questions the wisdom of selling a product that is likely to disappoint customers just to maintain a low price point. He stresses that buyers should consider investing a bit more to get a better-performing model to avoid future headaches and dissatisfaction.
In conclusion, Eli warns that the rising hardware costs and the push to keep prices low may lead to more compromised products like the 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5, which could harm the brand and user experience. He encourages viewers to think carefully before purchasing and to be aware of the limitations of such devices. The video ends with a call for feedback and a reminder that Eli produces these videos to support Silicon Dojo, a free hands-on technology education initiative in Durham, North Carolina.