Can a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W be used as a Desktop PC

Hi All! In this video we take a look at the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W running Raspberry Pi OS, and whether or not it can be used as a daily desktop computer.

My Pi Zero 2 Setup:

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This video is for entertainment purposes only.

#PiZero2 #RaspberryPi #RPI

[MrSujano]

I feel that non-gui versions of operating systems is where the PI Zero 2 shines.

[BillyNoMates]

I have followed a similar use case with the similar overclock settings.
Overclock settings of 1300Mhz, Core frequency of 525 and an over voltage of 6.
A couple of things to note to get this little pc running faster :-
Decrease desktop resolution to 1280 x 720 (speeds the little pi up)
Install Pi apps as there are scripts that easily installs whatever the user wants from an easy to use list.
Install 'Preload' (over time the most used programs are cached)
Install Zram (increase the workable memory by compressing)
Increase swap file from the default 100Mb to at least 1024Mb or even 2 gigs (really helps in making this a lot more usable)
Use 'puffin' web browser (uses back end servers for processing web pages and the Pi Zero is used as a dumb web display for all web pages - really speeds up internet browsing)

this has made a half decent desktop os.
I can now play full HD films via VLC from my network server (as the GPU handles h264 video very well).

As a side note I did manage to overclock right up to 2147Mhz but the graphics were terrible playing youtube videos

[liamthepyro]

It’s a shame that there isn’t a version of the zero 2 that has 1gb of ram for $5-10 more than the base model. Only way I could see that working is with an additional ram module on the bottom of the board. Great video btw.

[marlinfelix]

Awesome. Just what I was expecting. I plan to use my raspi zero 2 W to build a portable word processor to streamline the creative writing process and minimize distractions. Basically a Freewrite machine but cheaper. Wish me luck!

[mattblatchley]

thank you, sir...you've saved me a ton of time and frustration

[briankleinschmidt]

It's neat to give the students a box full of gadgets like that and see what they come up with. They didn't have "maker" boards when I was young. Electronics were insanely expensive hundreds of years ago.

[ridethebike]

I use it as a C64 Emulator with bare metal BMC64. It emulates the C64 perfect. Boot time is 4.sec. You can plug it Off whenever you want. Latency is also good. Connected a DB9 to the GPIO, an Arcader Joystick 🕹.
What a fun 👍

[AndersJackson]

Of course, it depends on what you expect from the Desktop PC and what you want to do.
I wouldn't do that though. The big problem is the shortage RAM in this machine.

[DLL.]

i use mine to run recalbox plays snes nes n64 and psx really well very impressed with this little thing

[fullerenpirat]

You could use it as a printserver to further use a printer that has no Windows support any more. With a cam it can be uses as a surveillance camera (motioneye os) it could control home automation, but it is not usable as a desktop.

[scharkalvin]

The problem isn't speed, it's memory, or rather the lack of it. Would be nice if the Pi zero was available with 1-2gb of ram.

[Lp-zetg]

I was excited when I first got my pi zero2 w.
But I was disappointed with the slow responds of the web browsing.
It only runs a little bit faster after overclocking.
YouTube is almost unplayable until I installed a YouTube app.
But still has some lagging for video play back.
It is strange that my raspberry pi 3b+ performs much better.
Was it because the lack of 1gb ram on the pi zero 2 w ?

[ivangordeyev]

Would it be possible to test this with an ssd, please? I found that chrome doesn't work well with most micro SD cards.

[prathamsood]

curious, will a smaller display resolution have any effect on performance?

[Iskelderon]

Gotta admit, the power of these has me looking into contributing to smart mirror projects.

[joandarc]

Bro how about that Intel computer stick can it handle emulation or emulators???

[jonescity]

May I ask...what Camera you are using to record this video? It's GREAT!

[nerb]

I'm just hyped to put one in my gpi case ^_^

[fisherking]

I made it into a portable media player with libreelec works very good

[tlmoller]

As expected. A browser kill all small boards. But it was never designed for this anyway. Good video!