Can a Raspberry Pi Replace Your Office Computer? A Real-World Test

The Raspberry Pi has come a long way since its inception, evolving from an educational tool into a surprisingly capable mini-computer. But can it truly replace a traditional office desktop or laptop? We put it to the test to see if a Raspberry Pi can handle everyday office tasks efficiently.

The Setup

For this test, we used the Raspberry Pi 5 Model B with 8GB of RAM. To maximize its potential, we installed Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) and used a 32GB microSD card for storage. Additionally, we connected a wireless keyboard and mouse, along with an Official Raspberry Pi 1080p monitor.

Office Productivity: The Essentials

An office computer needs to handle tasks like document editing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and web browsing. Here’s how the Raspberry Pi performed:

• Word Processing, Spreadsheets, & Presentations – LibreOffice, the open-source alternative to Microsoft Office, runs well on the Pi. Simple documents and spreadsheets work fine, though complex files with macros or large datasets can slow things down. While my preferred tools are the Google Suite there is also the Onlyoffice alternative as well.
• Email & Communication – Web-based email like Gmail or Outlook.com works well, though desktop clients like Thunderbird provide a smoother experience.
• Web Browsing – Firefox, one of the default browsers, is responsive for general use but can struggle after a while with media-heavy pages and web apps like Google Docs under heavy load.
• Video Conferencing – Zoom and Microsoft Teams can be accessed through a web browser, but performance is choppy, even at lower resolutions. Jitsi Meet, a lightweight alternative, runs better but still isn’t ideal.

Multitasking and Performance

The 8GB RAM model allows for multiple applications to run simultaneously, but the performance starts to drop when juggling too many browser tabs or office apps at once. Unlike traditional PCs with SSDs, the microSD card storage can be a bottleneck, but using an SSD significantly improves speed.

Advantages of Using a Raspberry Pi as an Office Computer

• Cost-Effective – A fully equipped Raspberry Pi setup costs significantly less than a conventional office PC.
• Energy Efficient – Consuming just a fraction of the power of a typical desktop, it’s perfect for low-energy computing needs.
• Customizability – Runs multiple operating systems, allowing for tailored office setups.
• Compact and Portable – Its small form factor makes it easy to carry or set up in a small workspace.

Challenges and Limitations

• Limited Processing Power – Heavy multitasking and high-performance applications can slow things down on the boards with less RAM.
• Storage Constraints – While MicroSD cards are slower and less durable than SSDs, it worked smoothly enough. With the Raspberry Pi 5 you do have the option to add an SSD Hat or Base allowing faster and more significant storage.
• Software Compatibility – Some office software, especially Windows-based applications, may not run natively.
• Video Conferencing Struggles – Performance issues make it less ideal for meetings and collaboration.

What we have that could bootstart your office setup.

• Raspberry Pi Official Pi5 8GB Desktop Kit EU
• Raspberry Pi5 8GB Red/White Official Kit
• Raspberry Pi 15.6″ Monitor Red/White
• Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+
• Raspberry Pi A2-Class 64GB SD Cards – Blank

Conclusion: Is It a Viable Office PC?

Raspberry Pi 5 serves as a low cost, low power alternative to desktop pc’s, though a bit slower. I was able to comfortably use applications I would regularly use and I know they could run even smoother if I upgrade it with the necessary Hat components and RAM sizes.