When a $35 Raspberry Pi is a better computer than a $2,500 MacBook Pro

I never thought I would say this, but in some ways, a $35 Raspberry Pi is a better computer than a $2,500 MacBook Pro.  

Hear me out...

The other day I wanted to show my kids a few micro:bit accessories.  I grabbed my new 16" MacBook Pro, sidled up to my box of micro:bit stuff, and was excited to show off some new gizmos.  I go to grab the cables, and I realize I do not have a USB-C to USB adapter.  Apple, in their infinite wisdom, only gives you 4 USB-C ports and an audio port on their newest MacBooks, and if you don't have a dongle, you are out of luck.

At first, I thought, "Oh well, time for a new plan".  Then I remembered my daughter has a Raspberry Pi 4 as her desktop computer.  

It turns out that the Pi 4 works great for coding in MakeCode and connecting to a micro:bit via USB.  Raspberry Pi managed to put standard USB connectors on their product, unlike Apple.  So, if you are looking to program a micro:bit, it turns out that a $35 Raspberry Pi is way better than a $2,500 MacBook Pro!