Back in 2016, the BBC delivered its first mini-computer to one million school children in the UK. Originally unveiled in the summer of 2015, the plan was for the computer to “…change the way children think about their ability to make things happen digitally,” according to then BBC director-general, Tony Hall.
At the time of the BBC micro:bit’s launch, schools across the country had already been using Raspberry Pi in the classroom for a few years. The Pi was first launched in the UK in 2012 and in the nine years that have passed, this single-board computer has become part of a market that’s grown rapidly, with an estimated worth of $3.8 billion by 2027.
So, what’s the difference between the two? Read on to find out how they compare and what they offer.
The BBC micro:bit – computers for curious kids
The BBC micro:bit was developed to help children master basic coding and give them the opportunity to gain an interest in programming early in their education. It is known for being basic – but that’s the point. Its purpose is to offer a user-friendly approach to coding for young people.
This palm-sized mini-computer has a 25-LED matrix screen, two buttons, compass, accelerometer and Bluetooth. It also has 3 PINs so that it can be connected to external inputs and outputs like thermometers, lights, and buzzers. Last autumn, it received an upgrade, with new models featuring a speaker, microphone, and AI capability.
Crucially, it’s a microcontroller. This means that it has no interface that’s accessed by hooking it up to a monitor. Instead, you write a program on it computer and the code is uploaded to the board.
The Raspberry Pi – computers for everyone
The Pi is a very different device to the micro:bit. This is a credit card-sized single-board microcomputer. Unlike the micro:bit, which is a microcontroller, the Pi has an interface that can be accessed by plugging it into a monitor. While the Raspberry Pi Foundation launched its first microcontroller – the Pi Pico – earlier this year, it’s still known for developing microcomputers. This is significantly different to the micro:bit.
Another major difference is that the Pi is more advanced. It offers access to a range of applications that suit children and adults alike, with Scratch being a popular option among schoolchildren.
However, the Pi can be used as a desktop, too. The latest model, the Pi 4, comes is fast enough to operate as a desktop replacement that works well for internet browsing, writing notes, and other basic functions.
What’s the difference?
BBC micro:bit was never meant to rival the Pi. In fact, it was designed as a steppingstone for children to learn the building blocks of coding before moving on to the more advanced Pi.
It’s worth keeping this in mind if you’re trying to decide between the two. If you’re starting out in the world of coding and programming, the micro:bit has what you need. But if you’re planning a bigger project and have already laid the coding groundwork, the Raspberry Pi could be ideal.
