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Raspberry Pi vs NVIDIA Jetson: Which Mini PC is Best for AI Projects?

2/7/2026 · Mini PCs · 8 min

Raspberry Pi vs NVIDIA Jetson: Which Mini PC is Best for AI Projects?

TL;DR

  • Raspberry Pi is affordable and widely supported, making it perfect for beginners in AI.
  • NVIDIA Jetson is designed for high-performance AI tasks, but it comes at a higher cost.

What Are Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson?

Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson are two leading mini PC platforms, each catering to specific user needs:

  • Raspberry Pi: A versatile, ultra-affordable single-board computer for general computing, IoT projects, and basic AI experiments.
  • NVIDIA Jetson: A mini PC designed with high-performance AI and machine learning applications in mind, featuring advanced GPU capabilities.

Key Differences Between Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson

1. **Processing Power**

  • Raspberry Pi 4/5: Equipped with ARM-based quad-core CPUs, great for basic AI and general-purpose computing tasks. Limited GPU capabilities.
  • NVIDIA Jetson Nano/Orin: Features CUDA-enabled GPUs optimized for AI workloads like image recognition and object detection. Significantly more powerful for AI tasks.

2. **Machine Learning Support**

  • Raspberry Pi: Can run lightweight AI frameworks like TensorFlow Lite or OpenCV. Ideal for hobbyists and educators.
  • NVIDIA Jetson: Supports full-fledged frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and NVIDIA's own DeepStream SDK. Designed for demanding AI applications.

3. **Price**

  • Raspberry Pi: Starts around $35–$75, making it a budget-friendly option. You may need to purchase accessories like a case or power supply separately.
  • NVIDIA Jetson: Prices range from $99 for the Jetson Nano to $599+ for the Jetson AGX Orin. Higher performance comes at a premium.

4. **Community and Documentation**

  • Raspberry Pi: Boasts an extensive community with countless tutorials, forums, and resources online.
  • NVIDIA Jetson: While growing, its community and documentation are more specialized and smaller compared to Raspberry Pi.

5. **Power Requirements**

  • Raspberry Pi: Consumes very little power (5V/3A). Suitable for battery-powered or solar-powered setups.
  • NVIDIA Jetson: Requires a higher power supply (10W–30W depending on the model), making it less power-efficient.

6. **Use Cases**

  • Raspberry Pi:
  • Simple AI projects like voice recognition or object detection.
  • Low-power IoT devices.
  • Educational purposes and hobby projects.
  • NVIDIA Jetson:
  • Advanced AI applications like video analytics, robotics, and deep learning.
  • Industrial-grade AI solutions.

Pros and Cons

Raspberry Pi

Pros:

  • Affordable and accessible.
  • Vast community support.
  • Low power consumption.
  • Compatible with a wide range of accessories and software.

Cons:

  • Limited GPU performance.
  • Not suitable for heavy machine learning or AI workloads.

NVIDIA Jetson

Pros:

  • Exceptional GPU performance for AI tasks.
  • Supports advanced machine learning frameworks.
  • Built for industrial and robotics applications.

Cons:

  • Higher cost.
  • Higher power requirements.
  • Smaller community compared to Raspberry Pi.

Bottom Line

Choose the Raspberry Pi if you are:

  • A beginner in AI or machine learning.
  • Working on low-power, budget-friendly projects.
  • Interested in general-purpose computing and IoT.

Choose the NVIDIA Jetson if you:

  • Need advanced AI capabilities for demanding applications.
  • Are focusing on robotics, deep learning, or industrial AI.
  • Have the budget to invest in a more powerful mini PC.

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