Raspberry Pi 4 has been released with a promise of a “PC-like level of performance” and is available at a starting price of $35. Alongwith being an upgrade, the Pi 4 for carries forward the interfacing capabilities and hackability of its predecessors.
The Raspberry Pi 4 boasts of a processor thrice as powerful as the Pi 3, USB-C power supply, two micro HDMI ports that support dual 4K displays, gigabit ethernet, two USB 2 and USB 3 ports each and a choice of 1, 2 and 4GB RAM.
While the entry-level Pi 4 device comes at $35 (1GB RAM), there is a $45 (2GB) and $55 (4GB) option also available. You can either buy Raspberry Pi 4 via their store or any one of their approved resellers.
Note that these prices don’t include sales tax, import duty and shipping. The 2GB variant will be more readily available currently as the company has manufactured more of it and will balance the scales among the three depending on which one gains more popularity. So, those going for the 2GB variant will probably get their product shipped quicker than others.
Also read: Raspberry Pi 4 vs Raspberry Pi 3
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B specs
- Processor: The Pi 4 sports a 64-bit 1.5GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 CPU
- RAM: Options of 1/2/4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM RAM
- WiFi/Internet: 802.11ac dual-band wireless networking and full-throughput Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB port: 2xUSB 2.0 and 2x USB 3.0
- Display: The Raspberry Pi 3 supports two 4K monitors
- GPU: VideoCore VI graphics, supporting OpenGL ES 3.x
- 4Kp60Â hardware decode of HEVC video
- Camera: 2-lane MIPI CSI camera port
- 4-pole stereo audio and composite video port
- Raspberry Pi standard 40 pin GPIO header
Also read: NodeMCU vs Arduino vs Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 4 Features
USB-C power connector
While the Raspberry Pi 4 carries forward an array of features found on the previous generation Pi 3, it has shifted to a USB-C for power from USB micro-B. This means that the Pi 4 supports an extra 500mA current and will be beneficial while charging devices at 1.2A when the CPU is being worked hard.
Dual Monitors
Another main feature introduced in the latest generation Raspberry Pi is the support for two 4K monitors. This new feature has been incorporated while maintaining the same size of the board by replacing the full-sized type-A HDMI connector with two type-D micro HDMI connectors. Dual monitor feature takes the Pi even closer to a traditional PC.
New Raspbian software
New Raspbian software based on the Debian 10 Buster release will be rolled out to support the Raspberry Pi 4. This release brings improvements to the OS, a modernised UI, Chromium 74 web browser and other updated applications.
For now, those keen to download the Raspbian Buster are recommended to download a new image and not upgrade an existing card. If you wish to update a current card, make sure to get a backup first.
The legacy graphics driver stack on the previous generation Raspberry Pi has also been retired and replaced by Mesa V3D driver.
According to the company, the Mesa V3D “offers many benefits, including OpenGL-accelerated web browsing and desktop composition, and the ability to run 3D applications in a window under X. It also eliminates roughly half of the lines of closed-source code in the platform.”
Related read: How to update your Raspberry Pi to the latest Raspbian OS
Accessories
Those interested can also buy Raspberry Pi 4 accessories such as the case, power supply cord, USB micro-B to USB-C adapter to use your Raspberry Pi 3 official power supply with the Pi 4 and micro HDMI cables.
Raspberry is also offering the Pi 4 desktop kit, priced at $120, which includes the following:
- A 4GB Raspberry Pi 4
- An official case
- An official PSU
- An official mouse and keyboard
- A pair of HDMI cables
- A copy of the updated Beginner’s Guide
- A pre-installed 32GB microSD card
The Raspberry Pi 1B+, 2B, 3B, and 3B+ continue selling for $25, $35, $35, and $35 respectively and there is no end in sight for them as according to the company, as long as there is demand the production for the previous versions will also continue.
Also read: Is gaming possible on a Raspberry Pi?
