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MX on Linux: Difference between revisions
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→Which Raspberry Pi to buy: add references to support forum posts and image article
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A standard desktop computer consumes at least 200 Watts of power (that is when it is idle, it will increase depending on peripherals attached and any processing being done) all the time it is switched on. A Pi Zero W consumes half a Watt when idle, and up to 1.78 Watt when running tasks or connected to peripherals. A Pi model 4 B (the latest model at time of writing) consumes 2.85 to 80 Watt depending on whether it is idle or working hard. Although Cumulus MX does not need to run 24/7, derived values like highest, lowest, average, and so on, will be more accurately calculated if MX is left running. Although the Pi is not the only small computer model available, it is probably the most popular and the easiest one to use if you do want to run MX all the time and not wreck the planet!
If you do a search on the support forum, you will find a lot of different opinions about which model you should buy, but in the end you decide! The following sections contain just suggestions on how to decide, there is no intention to force any single decision. This article focusses on those who buy a Raspberry Pi as a small computer, who might want to use it for other tasks like word processing, and for novices who feel happier to connect a screen and keyboard. This article is less useful if you want to own 2 computers and run your Pi headless by sending commands from your other computer, see [[Raspberry Pi Image]] article instead.
==First make a list of what you need==
*Do you want to use a mouse and key board so that you can use your Raspberry Pi as a computer for tasks like browsing the web and word processing, not just for Cumulus MX?
** If so, a model with multiple USB sockets is advisable (like 3B+)
** This also applies if you want to be able to plug in a USB stick (perhaps for holding/transferring files between devices, e.g. Cumulus configuration and data folder files; this will save wear on the micro-SD disc)
*Do you want a wired connection to your hub or router?
** Maybe you are going to update external sites, a wired connection may provide a faster and more dependable communication than a wireless link
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