Depending on your project, the Raspberry Pi model you need to buy may vary.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has been a pioneer in the tiny computer space since the very first Raspberry Pi launched in 2012. Since then, Raspberry Pi computers have only gotten beefier, with more and more features finding their way onto the trim boards.
You can choose from a range of options when picking the Raspberry Pi for DIY projects. But which Raspberry Pi model will be the best for the project you want to take on? Let's find out below.
The first Raspberry Pi model came out in 2012. This tiny computer is low-powered, cheap, and runs a proprietary operating system called Raspberry Pi OS out of the box. Originally launched as the Model A and Model B, later upgrades made the older models obsolete. The Model A+ and B+ variants are still worth exploring, though.
The Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+/B+ uses the same BCM2835 SoC as its predecessor, but this model comes with 40 GPIO pins rather than 26. It features 512MB of RAM, Fast Ethernet (B+ only), an HDMI port, four USB ports, and a handful of other IO connectors.
As the earliest Raspberry Pi that hasn't been discontinued, it should come as no surprise that this board isn't as powerful as the others on this list. Despite this, it can still make an excellent choice for projects with a strict budget or low power requirements.
The Raspberry Pi 2 is very similar to the Raspberry Pi 1, except it features an upgraded 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU and 1GB of memory. This board offers more power than its predecessor, making it great for affordable projects that require a little more oomph. Unlike other RPi models, this one doesn't have an A or B variant.
The original Raspberry Pi 3 Model B was released in 2016 as a major upgrade compared to the Raspberry Pi 2, now offering wireless connectivity for the popular mini PCs. Following this, in 2018, A+ and B+ models of the Raspberry Pi 3 were released, providing great options for DIYers looking for a mini PC with more power.
The RPi 3 Model A+ and B+ both use a Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC as the main chip on the board. The Model A+ has 512MB of memory, while the Model B+ has 1GB. The Model A+ has one USB port, and the Model B+ has two, but the Model B+ has an Ethernet port. Both boards come with CSI camera ports and DSI display ports for attaching external devices.
Originally released in 2019, the Raspberry Pi 4 is the current flagship mini PC from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. This generation of RPis comes with more variants and better connectivity than ever before, with a range of different memory options on the table and dual-band wireless.
The RPi 4 Model B is the most powerful mini PC in its family, with a quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC under the hood and the choice between 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB of RAM. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B also features a gigabit Ethernet port, dual-band WiFi, and two Micro HDMI ports that support 4K displays.
Unlike the other Raspberry Pi options available, the RPi 400 is designed to offer a full PC experience in a small package. This kit comes with a board based on the Raspberry Pi 4, a keyboard, and a mouse, and it comes with 4GB of memory.
The Raspberry Pi Zero is a small form-factor board that comes in at half the size of a Model A+ without sacrificing the power you'd expect from an RPi. Both the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W feature the same BCM2835 SoC found on the original Raspberry Pi, but the W version has wireless functionality.
While it is just as small, the Zero 2 W is just as small as the original Raspberry Pi Zero. With a 1GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and 512GB of memory, this tiny PC is powerful enough to meet the needs of a lot of desktop users.
The Raspberry Pi Pico stands out as the only microcontroller board offered by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. This small and affordable device has become a favorite amongst electronics hobbyists while also being used by experts for product development and prototyping.
The Pico microcontroller board features a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor and an RP2040 microcontroller chip, along with 264KB internal RAM and 2MB QSPI flash memory. It has 26 GPIO pins, two SPI controllers, two I2C controllers, and 16 PWM channels, offering plenty of connectivity options.
Microcontroller boards are similar to computers, but they are programmed to perform specific tasks and lack things like display outputs. Most of the electronic devices in your home—from washing machines to digital speakers—have microcontroller boards that replace old-fashioned circuits. The Arduino range of microcontroller boards is the most well-known on the market.
Picking the best Raspberry Pi for your next project can be tricky with the array of options you have. Processing power, form factor, and connectivity all play a role when choosing a mini PC, and the Raspberry Pi Pico only makes it more confusing. The project ideas throughout this article should help you figure out which board is best for you.
Samuel is a UK-based technology writer with a passion for all things DIY. Having started businesses in the fields of web development and 3D printing, along with working as a writer for many years, Samuel offers a unique insight into the world of technology. Focusing mainly on DIY tech projects, he loves nothing more than sharing fun and exciting ideas that you can try at home. Outside of work, Samuel can usually be found cycling, playing PC video games, or desperately attempting to communicate with his pet crab.
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