Since it was officially launched in 2012, more than 31 million Raspberry Pi’s have been sold worldwide. Since then they have been dating diferent models to the market already exceeding twenty. And the truth is that knowing which model best suits you will depend on what you want to use it for and the level you have.
What to buy to get started with Raspberry Pi
First of all, if you’ve never owned a Raspberry Pi before, the first thing you have to do is buy the plate. Keep in mind that the software that we are going to install on the Raspberry Pi is open source, but the same does not happen with the hardware. In this case it belongs to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which means that it is not possible for just anyone to reproduce its design. However, getting one is very simple. The latest model The most recent release on the market is the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, a smaller model with a less powerful processor than the Raspberry Pi 4. You don’t necessarily have to opt for the most recent model, but the one that best suits the projects you want to do. We will explain this a little later.
After getting the badge, one of the important add-ons for a Raspberry Pi it is the casing. The design of a Raspberry Pi is very attractive, but having it without a case is not very practical. With the housing you will be more protected and you will prevent it from being damaged due to dust or a possible blow. When choosing one, you will have to take into account that it is compatible with the Raspberry Pi model you have so that the connections fit where they should.
Raspberry Pi 4 enhancements
Power is one of the differences that the Raspberry Pi 4 has compared to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B +. Another change from one model to another is that version 4 is slightly larger in size, a detail to take into account when choosing the case. The Raspberry Pi 4 is faster both by Ethernet and by WiFi and USB ports. We can also connect an external SSD and take advantage of the bandwidth. In addition, the Ethernet port is no longer covered, so we have a gigabit connection in which the bottleneck of the processor does not come into play and, above all, of the RJ45 itself.
This should not be a problem for many users, but higher power means that the board will also get hotter. The peak temperature of the Raspberry Pi 3 after 10 minutes of operation is 62.6 degrees while the Pi 4 is 74.5 degrees, 12 degrees more. More power, also more energy consumptionAlthough in this case the difference is not very noticeable, it is something that shows that the Raspberry Pi version needs a 3A USB Type-C port and not a micro USB, which goes up to 2.5A.
A different model for each type of user
Almost any model can be used for anything, although logically some are better than others due to their characteristics. Let’s look at some examples.
Beginners
If you are a beginner, the best model for users who want to start and fiddle with these mini computers is the Raspberry Pi 4B with 2 GB of RAM. Its price is a little lower than the same model with 4 GB, although if you can spend about 20 euros more you will not go wrong buying the 4 GB of RAM.
Smart home
The Raspberry Pi can also be used to make our home a little smarter. Many people use these micro computers to build home control devices such as security cameras or motion sensors. For this purpose the Raspberry Pi Zero may be sufficient, since it can run apache, but if your idea is to make a web server, the 4B model with 4GB of RAM is a better option, an option that will give you better service if it is part of your plans that several connected users access at the same time.
Use as a computer
If you want to use it as a PC, the best option is the 8 GB Raspberry Pi 4 B or the Raspberry Pi 400, a personal computer kit with keyboard and 64-bit quad-core processor and 4 GB of RAM with dual-screen output and 4K playback. Also, this kit comes with an official Raspberry book for beginners.
As a retro game emulator
A large part of the maker community uses the Raspberry Pi as a retro game emulator. The kind of Raspberry Pi 4B 2GB It is the model that has the best performance and value for money, although if you find a 3B or 3B + model it also works optimally with RetroPie.
Security camera
We can also make a security camera with Raspberry Pi. In this case, you will need a Raspberry Pi Zero with built-in wireless connection, plus a webcam or LED light. However, if you are looking to have a better image quality using the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera add-on module, a Raspberry Pi 3 or higher will be necessary.
In addition to the examples previously exposed, if you want to get a Raspberry Pi for a specific project or idea, a good option is to consult one of the tutorials on the internet in which it will be specified which Raspberry Pi model is more appropriate. On the other hand, there are also very appropriate projects for children to take their first steps in the world of programming with Raspberry Pi, so getting one can also be a very good plan to enjoy as a family.
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