Why should people try Raspberry Pi 4?

The new Raspberry Pi 4 has been released, but do you need to upgrade? Is Raspberry Pi 4 really offering more features than the previous Raspberry Pi 3 B +?

Raspberry Pi 4 is probably the most valuable upgrade, since Raspberry Pi 2. Here's what you need to know about Raspberry Pi 4.

Rumors about the Raspberry Pi 4

Released June 24, 2019, the existence of the Raspberry Pi 4 has denied many unfounded rumors. Although the release of the fourth version of this credit-card-sized computer is a sure thing, the fact that it appears in the summer has left many people unaware. Most Raspberry Pi models were previously released in February or other winter months.

Published on Twitter on the release date, Raspberry Pi 4 is available along with a host of new accessories. Some of these accessories are needed because many physical changes have been made to this latest version.

Although the hardware specifications have been significantly upgraded, perhaps the most important thing to know about the Raspberry Pi 4 is that there are three versions that have been released. Each version has different RAM capacity:

1. Raspberry Pi 4 1GB is priced at $ 35 (VND 816,000)

2. For $ 45 (VND 1,050,000), you can double the RAM capacity to 2GB

3. Or you can increase the RAM capacity to 4GB with the price of $ 55 (VND 1,282,000)

As you can see, the price of the Raspberry Pi 4 is still quite comfortable.

Impressive specifications of Raspberry Pi 4

As always, the main reason to buy the latest Raspberry Pi model is thanks to the improved system specifications. This is what you will find:

1. ARM Cortex-A72 CPU with 64-bit quad core 1.5GHz (ARM v8, BCM2837)
2. 1GB, 2GB or 4GB RAM (LPDDR4)
3. Wireless LAN integration (dual band 802.11 b / g / n / ac)
4. Integrated Bluetooth 5.0, low power (BLE)
5. 2 USB 3.0 ports
6. 2 USB 2.0 ports
7. Gigabit Ethernet
8. Power-over-Ethernet technology (this will require PoE HAT)
9. Header GPIO 40 pin
10. 2 micro-HDMI ports (maximum support 4Kp60)
11. H.265 (decoding 4Kp60)
12. H.264 (1080p60 decoding, 1080p30 encoding)
13. OpenGL ES, 3.0 graphics card
14. DisplayPort DSI connection standard
15. CSI camera port
16. Composite video jacks and 3.5mm analog audio
17. Micro-SD card slot
18. USB source Type-C

At first glance, these parameters don't seem to be a major upgrade. However, some important developments have been made for the Raspberry Pi 4, in addition to the RAM capacity options.

What do the specifications of the Raspberry Pi 4 mean?

Perhaps the most significant parameter for daily use is the new Type-C USB power connector. In addition, Raspberry Pi 4 also has 2 USB 3.0 ports along with 2 USB 2.0 ports. The potential for high-speed USB devices is connected to the huge Raspberry Pi 4. Type-C USB connector also supports OTG, allowing you to directly connect Pi to the USB port on the PC and access the device locally.

In models with previous LAN integration, the Ethernet port is on the USB hub. This reduces the speed of the port, but this time, the Gigabit Ethernet port ensures outstanding speed. As with previous models, the Raspberry Pi 4 has a built-in wireless network (dual band 802.11 b / g / n / ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE support.

The Raspberry Pi 4 also has a new processor. ARM Cortex-A72 CPU with 64-bit quad core 1.5GHz (ARM v8) located on the BCM2837 SoC (System-on-Chip) marks an important step forward from previous generations of Raspberry Pi.

Finally, the Raspberry Pi 4 has 2 micro-HDMI ports instead of the standard single HDMI port. Raspberry Pi 4 also supports 4K, providing super HD video prospects for media streaming and dual screen use.

As you may have noticed, the new hardware feature brings the Raspberry Pi 4 closer to devices with higher specs like Odroid.

Accessories for Raspberry Pi 4 and their compatibility

If you own one or more Raspberry Pi computers, you may think that you will save money on accessories. After all, these credit card-sized computers are the same, right?

Yes, usually. In many cases, you can swap Raspberry Pi model B boards (regular Pi type) and exchange other accessories. But as you can see, there is a new power connector, which means you will need to buy a new suitable adapter (or at least buy a Type-C USB cable with the existing PSU).

Although there is no need to upgrade the microSD memory card, you will need a new case for the Raspberry Pi 4. The new micro-HDMI ports and USB Type-C power connector have led to a slight change in the shape of the Raspberry Pi 4. Most cases do not support Pi 4 and it is dangerous to tie the computer in an inappropriate case.

Raspbian Buster brings new features

Another important aspect of the Raspberry Pi 4 version is the appearance of Raspbian Buster. Raspbian Buster based on Debian 10 Buster, will be released at the end of 2019.

Buster has an improved desktop user interface, Chromium 74 browser and new Mesa V3D video driver. This is an open source driver that reduces about 50% of closed-source code in Raspbian. The benefits of drivers include running 3D applications on the desktop.

You don't need a Raspberry Pi 4 to try Raspbian Buster. Raspbian Buster is available for download now in the full version and lite, as well as part of the NOOBS easy installation tool.

How can Raspberry Pi 4 help improve your project?

Strong improvements to Raspberry Pi 4 mean that all your projects will benefit. Some examples are as follows:

1. A Kodi-based media center will have the benefit of 4K output and faster network connectivity.
2. Your retro gaming kit has the potential to run previous games that exceed the power of Pi.
3. If the Raspberry Pi 3 B + is not fast enough to replace the desktop computer, the Raspberry Pi 4 is much faster.
4. Although Raspberry Pi may not be suitable for virtual money digging, the superior Pi 4 specifications can improve this.
5. Server projects will also benefit. Online games, web servers, and even NAS boxes can be upgraded with Raspberry Pi 4.

If you use or plan for any of these projects, Raspberry Pi 4 will top the list of hardware options you should consider.

If you're ready to use the new Raspberry Pi 4, take a moment to learn about 20 great apps from the tiny Raspberry Pi computer that TipsMake.com has suggested.

An interesting thing about the Raspberry Pi product line is that almost every model is still manufactured. This means there's always a specific device that suits your needs, whether it's the high-end Raspberry Pi 4, the compact Raspberry Pi Zero W or the Raspberry Pi A +. For the most diverse options for projects, choose Raspberry Pi 4.

Wish you find the right choice!