Raspberry Pi’s run on Linux, and shares a commonality with macOS whilst they both shared lineage going back 40 years to UNIX. The look and feel of Linux to macOS is somewhat the same, with the Apples OS being slightly polished compared to that of Linux.

Terminal, on both devices works the same with common commands shared across both platforms and connectivity via SSH or VNC is equally seamless, so why is it the best accessory?

Easy of use

Cost

Low power consumption

Ability to do numb, repetitive tasks whilst consuming low power and relivelity low computing power.

Print Server

Using a Raspberry Pi as a CUPS print server means you can add AirPrint capabilities to any none network or WiFi enabled printer. It was also means you can keep track of print outs, and even reprint some stored jobs.

AirPlay Speaker

Great sounding stereos or older items tend not to be AirPlay enabled, with the use of a Raspberry Pi and some terminal code, you can stream music to any device with an Aux port.

Homebridge Server

Running on the Raspberry Pi it allows a lightweight solution which is power efficient and low cost. Homebridge is the missing server/link in the Apple HomeKit ecosystem, offering a wider scope of smart home devices which are currently supported by Apples solution to be controlled within HomeKit.

As the Pi uses Linux and a lot of its commands and tweaks are driven through the Terminal, its a low cost and simple was to learn the lost art of the Command Line Interface (CLI) without risking doing any damage to your more expensive Mac, once you’re more confident you can venture in to playing with the Mac Terminal.

If things go wrong with the Pi, its either a case of reformatting the SD card with a fresh installation or simply replacing it.