If investors haven’t heard of Nvidia before 2024, they almost certainly have now, as the stock has soared since the start of the year. But is it the best publicly traded tech stock to buy for the long term at current prices? Four of our free sites writers disagree…

Alphabet

What it does: Alphabet owns and operates a range of digital properties, from Google to YouTube

By Christopher Ruane. Compared to five-year profit in Nvidia Inventories (2703%), up 223% Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) may look frail during this period.

In fact, there are few companies on Alphabet’s scale that have more than tripled in value in five years.

Compared to Nvidia, its advantage is that it offers a wide range of services that are used by billions of people and corporate customers every day.

AI has helped turbocharge Nvidia’s valuation. While AI also creates opportunities for Alphabet, it also creates risks. Its core search business could see demand drop, hurting its cash cow.

But Alphabet proved its business model and demonstrated tremendous profitability before AI became a sizzling topic. I expect it will continue to do so.

The company has always thrived on groundbreaking innovation, has huge brands, and has catchy products with huge customer bases. I believe these are long-term strengths.

Revenue last year exceeded $300 billion, and net income was a staggering $74 billion, or two and a half times more than Nvidia.

Christopher Ruane owns Alphabet shares.

Raspberry Pi

What it does: Raspberry Pi lets you create low-cost Linux computers that are ideal for control and robotics applications.

By Alan Oscroft. Since the IPO, Raspberry Pi (LSE:RPI) share price has shown almost no overall movement. It’s a bit of a disappointing start.

Today, everything revolves around artificial intelligence (AI), and the robotics associated with it undoubtedly creates huge potential for tiny, inexpensive computers intended for control applications.

Raspberry Pi computers are minuscule, but just think about the computing power you can get from dozens of them hidden in the nooks and crannies Tesla robotaxi or competitive vehicle.

Valuing stocks is so solid I won’t try. But it has to be inexpensive compared to those soaring Nasdaq shares, surely? Valuation is also a huge risk. If I buy Raspberry Pi stock, I’m basically buying blind and hoping.

So it would be just a tiny purchase for me. But I can do that with my next batch of investment cash.

Alan Oscroft has no position in Raspberry Pi or Tesla.

Scottish Mortgage Investment Fund

What it does: Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust’s mission is to identify, own and support the world’s most outstanding growth companies.

By Paul Summers. It’s solid not to be bullish on the long-term prospects for Nvidia stock. The problem is that market expectations are astronomically high. I think that makes it likely that the stock will see some sustained volatility soon.

I would rather invest my hard-earned money in a fund that has some, but not too much, exposure to a chipmaker.

Scottish Mortgage (LSE:SMT) is looking to own the best growth stocks, many of which are tech-related. With almost 10%, Nvidia is its biggest position. But if the latter were to fall on missed earnings estimates, the rest of its portfolio should aid limit the damage. Naturally, a sector-wide sell-off would hurt more.

Having struggled with momentum in recent years, the trust is trading at a discount to net assets. I am not sure whether this will remain the case if interest rates are cut.

Paul Summers owns shares in Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust

Volex

What it does: Volex manufactures electrical wires and cables, including those commonly used in data centers.

Nvidia isn’t the only pick-and-shovel stock that investors can buy to take advantage of the AI ​​revolution. While the U.S. microprocessor company, listed on the London Stock Exchange Volex (LSE:VLX) supplies cables that keep data centers running.

The data intensity of AI means demand for high-speed Direct Attach Cables (DACs) is growing. This up-to-date technology phenomenon boosted revenue from Volex’s Complex Industrial Technology business, up 35.4% in the 12 months to March (to $213.4 million), and data center sales jumped 131% year over year.

This OBJECTIVE The company is currently engaged in a five-year growth strategy to also boost revenue. It hopes the group will reach revenue of $1.2 billion by 2027, up from $912.8 million last year. Plans include building 800-gigabit-per-second cables that will improve energy efficiency, reduce data loss and strengthen signal integrity, which is necessary for AI applications.

Volex operates in a highly competitive market. However, the pace of industry growth — combined with the company’s solid relationships with leading technology companies — still makes it a top AI stock to consider in my opinion.

Royston Wild does not own any shares in Volex.