• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
programming forums Java Mobile Certification Databases Caching Books Engineering Micro Controllers OS Languages Paradigms IDEs Build Tools Frameworks Application Servers Open Source This Site Careers Other Pie Elite all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
Marshals:
  • Campbell Ritchie
  • Jeanne Boyarsky
  • Ron McLeod
  • Paul Clapham
  • Liutauras Vilda
Sheriffs:
  • paul wheaton
  • Rob Spoor
  • Devaka Cooray
Saloon Keepers:
  • Stephan van Hulst
  • Tim Holloway
  • Carey Brown
  • Frits Walraven
  • Tim Moores
Bartenders:
  • Mikalai Zaikin

Arduino h/w recommendation for newbie

 
Greenhorn
Posts: 8
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I would love to know which hardware version of arduino should I start off with? Out of curiosity what is the trade off compared to raspberry pi?
 
Sheriff
Posts: 7001
6
Eclipse IDE Python C++ Debian Java Linux
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
This depends on so many factors. What do you intend to do with it? How much money do you want to spend? Are you comfortable with soldering? Can you wait for a month for shipping from China?

However, most people who are just trying things out tend to opt for a cheap Arduino Uno clone, If you prefer a genuine Ardiuno, the Leonardo might be a better choice - it's a bit cheaper than the Uno and also a bit cleverer. For simple experimentation there is not a lot to choose between the basic Arduino boards, though - they all use the Arduiino development UI and the same "wiring" language for programming, and they are all pretty much compatible with the same extension boards ("shields").

Although you can use Arduino and Raspberry Pi for some of the same kinds of things, they are really very different.

Arduino is best treated as "programmable hardware" - it has a good selection of IO pins and (once programmed) will run its single program whenever switched on. Raspberry Pi, on the other hand is much more like a "proper" computer - it loads an operating system (typically Linux, but others are also availabls) from an SD card, and offers all the screen, keyboard, USB and networking you might expect.
 
kalyan vadlamani
Greenhorn
Posts: 8
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Frank - I have decided to buy a arduino leanardo. I don't get to work with circuits as a s/w dev. I have worked with breadboards in the past and can't wait to get started tinkering around with electronics again. Thanks for the pointers :-)

Cheers,
Kalyan
 
author
Posts: 15
7
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I personally would go with an Arduino UNO there have been a few minor teething issues with Arduino Leonardo and some libraries.
 
Bartender
Posts: 2661
19
Netbeans IDE C++ Linux
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

Martin Evans wrote:I personally would go with an Arduino UNO there have been a few minor teething issues with Arduino Leonardo and some libraries.


Is there a minimum requirement of what to buy if we use your book as tutor?
 
Martin Evans
author
Posts: 15
7
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
The minimum requirement is really an Arduino UNO, most projects and code are based around it, although we do cover the Arduino Mega as well
 
kalyan vadlamani
Greenhorn
Posts: 8
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Is Arduino Uno alone sufficient on Day 1 to begin with? Should i buy a starter kit instead with most basic components included?
 
kalyan vadlamani
Greenhorn
Posts: 8
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
My Arduino UNO is scheduled to be delivered today. cannot wait to get out of work! This will be a good weekend.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic