When the Model B was launched, there was a stated assumption that a charger rated for 700mA or more could be used as a PSU. It was, so far as I can tell, assumed that pretty much everyone would have such chargers lying around unused. It rapidly became apparent, especially as follow---on models, such as the Pi2B, showed up that chargers were, generally speaking, not up to the task and quality PSUs were a far, far better option.I suspect expectations inertia is the reason, among those grumbling. IIRC there was a time ~8-10 yrs ago when people like me perceived the Pi as the clever hub of a parts bin computer. You added your own mouse, keyboard, monitor, storage, and other peripherals. At the time I think it wasn't unusual to repurpose a phone charger (if not for the 3B, then for the Pi Zero) or something like that to act as power supply. Changing that expectation, that you only need to buy the board and can outfit the rest of the Pi setup with stuff you already have, isn't easy when that's the heuristic people to which some people are anchored.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I've found that, over the years, there are a lot of uses for official RPT PSUs besides powering Pis. They will reliably charge phones and tablets, for instance. As there has been a move away from including a "charger" with every device, and a move towards standard power connection connectors, that is doubly true. At this point, I find myself buying a lot more PSUs than Pis. That way, if I need a 5v source, I've got them to hand. If I have a Pi that gets moved around, I can leave the PSU in place where it normally lives and have another for travel. If I'm on a trip with multiple people, I can loan out PSUs as needed (someone is *always* missing their "charger").
My daughter and her husband recently took a trip in the company of a elderly writer who needed someone to look after him. Since they all went to Glasgow, and I happened to have--through curious circumstances--a pair of UK Pi4B PSUs, I sent them with her to help cover any charging needs. (I kind of miss the official "universal" PSUs, though I understand why that idea was dropped.)
Statistics: Posted by W. H. Heydt — Thu Aug 22, 2024 8:29 pm