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Free operating system
Raspberry Pi OS
The official operating system for Raspberry Pi computers, optimised for learning, electronics and small projects.
What was it designed for?
Raspberry Pi OS was developed to support Raspberry Pi hardware directly and reliably. It aims to simplify programming, making, education and use as a small general-purpose computer.
Typical tasks
- Learning programming and classroom projects
- GPIO, sensor, robotics and electronics projects
- Small home servers, media or network services
- General desktop use on Raspberry Pi models
Strengths
- Best integration with Raspberry Pi hardware
- Large learning and project community
- Many tools available for education and electronics
Weaknesses
- Not intended as a general replacement for x86 PC systems
- Performance depends heavily on the Pi model and storage medium
- Complex desktop or professional applications can exceed the hardware limits
Who is it for?
- Students, teachers and learners
- Makers and electronics or robotics enthusiasts
- Users of small home servers and single-board computers