Post #1138200
2026-04-01 19:39 UTC
Low power draw but ridiculous power supply requirements of 5V5A (depending on the model) with a USB-C connector which isnt a thing outside of this specific application meaning
they’re going to be expensive and hard to source.
That’s only for the Pi 5 (the highest end unit), and I’ll agree that at that level its hard to justify a Pi over a larger computer. Even for the Pi 5 its not that hard to find those Power Supplies. Most laptops today use power supplies that meet or exceed those specs. You’re right that those are more expensive than Pi 4 and below Power Supplies.
They should have just done a barrel plug or put an effing voltage regulator on board like Arduinos.
Again, no defense of Pi 5 from me. However, for everything below Pi 5, HARD PASS on a voltage regulator. I don’t want that heat in the tiny Pi case. At the lower power requirements of Pi4 and below USB power is fine.
Replies (2)
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@MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2026-04-06 13:21
Yeah a voltage regulator would be a bad idea, however a well designed DC-DC buck converter can be in the 95%+ efficiency range and produce very little heat.
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@CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 2026-04-01 21:24
>Most laptops today use power supplies that meet or exceed those specs. Non those are USB-PD power supplies that increase voltage up to 20V in order to deliver more power. No USB standard that I'm aware of offers 5A at 5V. As far as heat goes, these devices already need heatsinks and case fans, so the difference seems negligible. Also, good luck using a Pi5 any further than 3ft from a wall outlet unless you want to rig up your own power supply using some 14/2 Romex with a USB C connector soldered to the end.