10-20-2021, 02:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2021, 02:49 PM by TheOldPresbyope.)
@Leviathan
I agree with @the_bertrum's comments but if you don't already have the Zero W then I'd suggest you strongly consider the Pi3A+ instead. Yes, it's US$15 more than the Zero W (here in the USA, anyway) but compare the specs
CPU
Pi 3 A+: 1.4 GHz quad-core A53 64-bit with ARMv8 instruction set
Zero W: 1 GHz ARM11 32-bit with ARMv6Z 32-bit instruction set
Pi 3 A+: 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
Zero W: 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
WiFi
Pi 3A+: b/g/n/ac dual band 2.4/5 GHz
Zero W: b/g/n single band 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth
Pi 3A+: 4.2 BLE
Zero W: 4.1 BLE
IMHO the higher speed quad-core CPU with the ARMv8 instruction set is enough to seal the deal. That the Pi3A+ runs the full ARMv8 instruction set means no odd moOde workarounds are needed for certain code. That the Pi3A+ is 64-bit helps future-proof it.
The memory size is the same. Practically this matters mostly when trying to build from sources. Candidly, the Zero W is a terrible choice for compiling code; the Pi3A+ can handle it decently if swap memory is enabled.
In my environment, the 2.4GHz band is crowded so dual-band WiFi is a godsend.
I'm not sure the slight uptick in Bluetooth spec on the Pi3A+ matters practically in our application; perhaps others can comment.
The rated idle current is 200ma on the Pi3A+ vs 100ma on the Zero W but the "max under stress" current is about the same, 350ma. I use the same model power supply for both.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Regards,
Kent
ETA - Of course Tim answered while I was still busy composing! Some day, Tim, some day!
I agree with @the_bertrum's comments but if you don't already have the Zero W then I'd suggest you strongly consider the Pi3A+ instead. Yes, it's US$15 more than the Zero W (here in the USA, anyway) but compare the specs
CPU
Pi 3 A+: 1.4 GHz quad-core A53 64-bit with ARMv8 instruction set
Zero W: 1 GHz ARM11 32-bit with ARMv6Z 32-bit instruction set
Pi 3 A+: 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
Zero W: 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
WiFi
Pi 3A+: b/g/n/ac dual band 2.4/5 GHz
Zero W: b/g/n single band 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth
Pi 3A+: 4.2 BLE
Zero W: 4.1 BLE
IMHO the higher speed quad-core CPU with the ARMv8 instruction set is enough to seal the deal. That the Pi3A+ runs the full ARMv8 instruction set means no odd moOde workarounds are needed for certain code. That the Pi3A+ is 64-bit helps future-proof it.
The memory size is the same. Practically this matters mostly when trying to build from sources. Candidly, the Zero W is a terrible choice for compiling code; the Pi3A+ can handle it decently if swap memory is enabled.
In my environment, the 2.4GHz band is crowded so dual-band WiFi is a godsend.
I'm not sure the slight uptick in Bluetooth spec on the Pi3A+ matters practically in our application; perhaps others can comment.
The rated idle current is 200ma on the Pi3A+ vs 100ma on the Zero W but the "max under stress" current is about the same, 350ma. I use the same model power supply for both.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Regards,
Kent
ETA - Of course Tim answered while I was still busy composing! Some day, Tim, some day!
