Wondering what to do with that Raspberry Pi you bought? Can this little device really act as a desktop PC? As a server? As a radio station? Yes, it can!
To get you started, we've curated this list of things to do with a Raspberry Pi, each with its own detailed tutorial on MakeUseOf.
We'll assume you're using a Raspberry Pi 4, but most of these projects will work on older models and even on Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero 2W boards.
1. Replace Your Desktop PC With a Raspberry Pi
The simplest way to use a Raspberry Pi is as a desktop computer. This is particularly suited to later models of the Raspberry Pi, with increased CPU speeds and RAM. The Raspberry Pi 400 is built into a keyboard, ideal for productivity.
Wireless networking and Bluetooth are ideal for input devices and connectivity. Meanwhile, operating systems like Raspberry Pi OS and Ubuntu are ideal, and come with office tools built in.
2. Print With Your Raspberry Pi
Older printers with no Wi-Fi (or insecure Wi-Fi standards) can be brought online thanks to a Raspberry Pi.
Team up the Samba file sharing software, and CUPS print software, and you can make that printer wireless. The Common Unix Printing System provides drivers for your printer and an administration console.
Any computer on your network can then access the printer, and you can even add AirPrint support to Raspberry Pi, for iPhone and Android devices.
3. Cut the Cord With Kodi: A Raspberry Pi Media Center
One of the most popular uses for the Raspberry Pi is as a Kodi media center. Several Kodi builds have been released, with OSMC and LibreELEC still going strong.
If you prefer to keep your computer available for other projects, Kodi can be installed on Raspberry Pi OS and added to retro gaming systems. Installing Kodi comes with some caveats. We recommend you only install safe and legal add-ons from the official Kodi repositories.
4. Build a Raspberry Pi Retro Gaming Machine
Another popular use for a Raspberry Pi is as a retro gaming machine. Compact and versatile, the device is as suitable for a full size arcade cabinet, as it is as part of a Game Boy-esque handheld.
Various retro gaming operating systems are available, all with controller support. Many classic gaming platforms can be emulated, from 1970s arcade machines and Atari consoles to the Nintendo Wii.
5. Build a Minecraft Game Server
Your Pi can be used as a Minecraft game server, letting you host online games. These can be played with people on your home network, in the same building, or on the internet.
Beyond Minecraft, other multiplayer network games can be set up on the Raspberry Pi. Open source ports of Quake, Civilization, Doom, and Open TTD can be installed as game servers on your Raspberry Pi.
6. Build a Stop-Motion Camera
Although stop-motion can be made with a smartphone, a Raspberry Pi and dedicated camera module can also be employed.
Using the Python programming language, a suitable mount, and a well-lit area, you’ll also need to rig a button to the Pi’s GPIO.
You’ll need an overhead mount for Terry Gilliam-esque paper craft animation, or a standard tripod for clay- or toy-based projects.
Stop-motion photography is a time-consuming process, with practice required for good results.
7. Make a Time-Lapse Video
Combining the Raspberry Pi camera module with a different Python script captures time-lapse movies. This is done by taking single frames with a timed delay.
But what should you film? Flowers in the garden, fruit in a bowl, people passing by... perhaps the clouds in the sky, or the changing weather? You're only limited by your own imagination, and how far you're willing to travel to get a good video.
8. Broadcast a Pirate FM Radio Station
Incredibly, the Pi can broadcast over a short distance on the FM band, ideal if you need to communicate with a community that has no internet access.
Broadcasting over FM is illegal without a license.
While largely unsuitable for urban use, it might prove useful in remote locations.
A portable battery and soldering skills are required. Broadcast audio should be preloaded to the microSD card, and played in a loop.
9. Build a Raspberry Pi Web Server
Any Raspberry Pi can host a homepage or blog, with either static web pages or database-driven content.
You’ll need Apache, and for more advanced websites, a full LAMP (Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP) stack. It's useful if you also set up FTP.
Once these steps are completed, save HTML files into the /www/ directory, and your web server is ready. Or you might install some specific web software like WordPress.
Get the website online with a static IP address from your internet provider. A cheaper option is No-IP.com.
10. Host a Library of Audiobooks
Self-hosted audiobook server Audiobookshelf can be set up on your Raspberry Pi for access anywhere. It also supports podcasts.
Once installed (as a Docker container), the software can be configured to pull audiobooks from wherever you own them. Apple, Audible, Google, and other providers are supported.
With the library compiled, it can be accessed via your Raspberry Pi or from any browser-equipped device.