thunder I agree the performance is very good for the price, though comparing it to my desktop (i7 4790K, 16GB RAM, SSD, etc) the performance is bad.
Of course!
Using the Rpi like a regular computer compared to a powerful desktop will be disappointing ?
In fact, I've never actually used one like that.
But the Rpi2 (and 3) are quad core. So while it is slow it can do many different small things.
My primary one handles 1080p playback (via kodi), serves as a NFS and samba share points, LAN nginx static website (to quickly share files - makes DRM-free LAN games very easy to setup.), handles LUKS (encryption) no problem (external USB), serves as a backup server for my files and allows me to sync up my desktop and laptop via spoke and hub approach (desktop pushes to Rpi, laptop pulls).
I also intermittently use it for large downloads since it has the luxury of direct connection to the router and is on 24/7 (low power!).
Sme client uses:
- Another Rpi attached to a stereo streams through NFS using a screened cmus program (which I also control via juicyssh on a smartphone)
- Additional Rpi's available to plug in, connect to NFS and control in a similar manner if I need them.
- Jailbroken Wii streams videos and music through samba smb share
- Laptop connects via public facing ssh using sftp to mount my media as a local drive anywhere I have internet. Desktop does the same through LAN.
- Media center for my tv.
Note: Playing 1080p is not the same as rendering in 1080p.
This is all done with a Raspberry Pi 2 that is 300Mhz slower then Rpi3 and is not overclocked. No issues ?
The slowest part is waiting for the HDD to spin up.
That just what I use it for and have written to maybe give some ideas. Most of its potential lies in your understanding of linux and using its CLI (Command Line Interface) without a gui (Graphical User Interface) - if you want to use it, just use your fancy computer ?, with extra potential in its GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) pins through python and most importantly what problem you want to solve and your imagination to do it.
