One of the most flexible aspects of the Raspberry Pi is that we can install it virtually anywhere. No matter how strange the object, if it has enough space inside, there's no problem using it as a case, but if the goal is to give the mini computer a more stable role on the desktop, perhaps the best solution is something like Pi Desktop, which includes a power switch, a real-time clock, and an mSATA interface for solid-state drives, among other things.
The Raspberry Pi can be applied to a great number of projects, however, when the plan is to use it as a desktop computer, the user must consider several details, to the point that it is not a very recommended option for beginners. The lack of a full version of Windows due to the ARM architecture, the fact that the larger models only have 1 GB of RAM shared with the GPU, the limits on the SoC frequency (1.2 GHz on the RPi 3), and the need for additional accessories make it necessary to think it over a bit more. An alternative is to acquire most of the components through a kit, and that's where the Pi Desktop from Premier Farnell comes in.
What's in the Pi Desktop?
The package contains a black case, a power on/off controller (something the Raspberry Pi should incorporate in future versions), a real-time clock, a heat sink, and a special interface for connecting mSATA solid-state drives, with a maximum support of one terabyte. By using an SSD and booting the operating system from it, the Raspberry Pi will provide a much more pleasant experience, even if limited by the speed of the USB interface. The case includes slots for all the ports of the mini computer, and an extra space that allows the installation of a camera.
The official price of Pi Desktop amounts to $50 on the Element14 portal, and it will be available for sale in the first week of June. Obviously, we must add the Raspberry Pi, the mSATA SSD (or alternatively, an SD card), power supply, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.
