Raspberry Pi Boards & Accessories
Official Raspberry Pi single-board computers, HATs, cameras, displays, and complete kits for education, IoT, home automation, and computing projects.
Raspberry Pi: The Complete Guide to Single-Board Computing
Raspberry Pi is a revolutionary series of affordable, credit-card-sized single-board computers developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK. Since its launch in 2012, over 50 million units have been sold worldwide, making it the most successful British computer ever made. Raspberry Pi has transformed education, enabled countless DIY projects, and powered industrial IoT deployments globally.
Why Raspberry Pi is Perfect for Your Project
Raspberry Pi stands out as a unique computing platform that bridges the gap between traditional microcontrollers and full computers:
Full Linux Computer
Unlike microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi runs a full Linux operating system (Raspberry Pi OS). This means you can use Python, Node.js, Java, C++, and virtually any Linux software. It includes desktop environment, web browser, and office suite.
Powerful Yet Affordable
The latest Raspberry Pi 5 features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, up to 8GB RAM, dual 4K display support, and gigabit Ethernet - all for under €100. Entry-level models start from just €15.
GPIO for Physical Computing
The 40-pin GPIO header lets you connect sensors, motors, displays, and other hardware. Control physical devices with Python scripts, combining computing power with electronics capabilities.
Massive Ecosystem
Thousands of tutorials, projects, HATs (Hardware Attached on Top), and community support. From retro gaming to home automation, someone has already built what you're imagining.
Raspberry Pi Model Comparison
Choosing the right Raspberry Pi model depends on your project requirements. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of each model:
Raspberry Pi 5 (2023)
The flagship model featuring a custom Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor at 2.4GHz. Available in 4GB and 8GB RAM variants. Includes dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, dual micro-HDMI ports supporting 4K@60fps, USB 3.0 ports, and PCIe 2.0 interface for M.2 SSDs.
Key Specs:
- • Processor: 2.4GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A76
- • RAM: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X-4267
- • Video: Dual 4K@60fps HDMI output
- • Storage: MicroSD + PCIe 2.0 for NVMe SSD
- • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Best for: Desktop replacement, media center, AI/ML projects, development workstation, demanding applications
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2019)
Still a powerhouse, the Pi 4 features a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 at 1.8GHz. Available in 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB RAM. True gigabit Ethernet (not USB-limited), dual micro-HDMI 4K display output, USB 3.0, and USB-C power.
Key Specs:
- • Processor: 1.8GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A72
- • RAM: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4-3200
- • Video: Dual 4K display support
- • USB: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
- • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Best for: Home server, retro gaming (RetroPie), home automation hub, 4K media player
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (2018)
Featuring a 1.4GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 1GB RAM, and improved WiFi/Bluetooth over previous models. Still widely used for projects where Pi 4/5's extra power isn't needed. More affordable than newer models.
Best for: Basic IoT projects, learning programming, network projects, budget builds
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Tiny form factor (65mm × 30mm) with surprising power: 1GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, 512MB RAM, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Mini HDMI and micro USB ports. Perfect for embedded projects where space is limited.
Best for: Wearables, compact projects, camera projects, minimalist builds, battery-powered devices
Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W
A departure from the Linux-based Pi family, Pico is a microcontroller board featuring the RP2040 chip (dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ at 133MHz). The Pico W adds WiFi. Perfect for real-time control applications where you don't need a full OS.
Best for: Embedded systems, real-time control, low-power projects, Arduino alternative, learning MicroPython
Essential Raspberry Pi Accessories & HATs
Maximize your Raspberry Pi's capabilities with these essential accessories and HATs (Hardware Attached on Top):
Must-Have Accessories
- •Official Power Supply: Use the official USB-C power supply (5.1V, 3A for Pi 4/5) to avoid undervoltage issues that cause instability and SD card corruption.
- •High-Quality microSD Card: Class 10 or UHS-I cards (32GB minimum) from reputable brands. The SD card is your storage drive - don't skimp here.
- •Case with Cooling: Active cooling (fan) or passive (heatsinks) prevents thermal throttling, especially important for Pi 4 and Pi 5.
- •HDMI Cable: Pi 4 and 5 use micro-HDMI. Get the right cable for your monitor/TV.
Popular HATs for Every Purpose
Sense HAT
8×8 LED matrix, joystick, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors. Originally designed for the Astro Pi mission to the ISS. Perfect for environmental monitoring and education.
PoE+ HAT
Power over Ethernet - power your Pi through the Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for a separate power supply. Ideal for wall-mounted displays, security cameras, and network projects.
Camera Module
High-quality 12MP camera module with IMX477 sensor. Supports 1080p60, 4K30 video. Perfect for security cameras, timelapse photography, computer vision projects, and wildlife monitoring.
Official Touchscreen Display
7-inch capacitive touchscreen (800×480) that connects via DSI. Turn your Pi into a tablet-like device. Great for kiosks, control panels, smart home interfaces.
Build HAT
Control LEGO Technic motors and sensors directly from your Pi. Perfect for robotics education and combining LEGO with coding projects.
M.2 HAT+
Add NVMe SSD storage to Pi 5 via PCIe. Dramatically faster than microSD cards. Essential for database servers, development environments, and storage-intensive applications.
Popular Raspberry Pi Use Cases
The versatility of Raspberry Pi enables countless applications across different domains:
1. Home Server & Network Projects
Run Pi-hole for network-wide ad blocking, Nextcloud for private cloud storage, Plex for media streaming, or OpenVPN for secure remote access. Low power consumption makes it perfect for 24/7 operation.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5 with external SSD
2. Retro Gaming Console
RetroPie turns your Pi into a retro gaming machine, emulating NES, SNES, PlayStation, N64, and more. Connect USB controllers and enjoy thousands of classic games on your TV.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) for best performance with demanding emulators
3. Home Automation Hub
Run Home Assistant, OpenHAB, or Node-RED to control smart lights, thermostats, security cameras, and sensors. Create automations and integrate devices from different manufacturers.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB) or Pi 3B+ with PoE HAT for clean installation
4. Learning Platform for Programming
Perfect for learning Python, web development, Linux, networking, and physical computing. Pre-installed tools like Scratch, Python, and Thonny IDE make coding accessible for all ages.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 400 (keyboard computer) or Pi 4 starter kit
5. Security & Surveillance System
Use Camera Module with MotionEyeOS for security cameras. Add PIR sensors for motion detection. Set up alerts and cloud backup. Build a complete security system for a fraction of commercial costs.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 4 or Zero 2 W (for discrete cameras) with Camera Module
6. AI & Machine Learning Projects
TensorFlow Lite enables machine learning on Pi. Build image recognition systems, voice assistants, object detection cameras. Google's AIY kits make ML accessible for beginners.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) with active cooling for best ML performance
Getting Started with Raspberry Pi
Starting your Raspberry Pi journey is straightforward. Follow this step-by-step guide:
- Choose Your Model: For beginners, start with Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5. For specific projects, match the model to your requirements using our comparison above.
- Get Essential Accessories: You'll need official power supply, microSD card (32GB+), HDMI cable, keyboard, and mouse. Consider a starter kit that includes everything.
- Install Raspberry Pi OS: Download Raspberry Pi Imager, flash Raspberry Pi OS to your microSD card. The Imager makes this process incredibly simple - just click and wait.
- First Boot: Insert the microSD card, connect peripherals, and power on. Follow the setup wizard to configure WiFi, timezone, and updates.
- Explore Pre-installed Software: Try Chromium browser, LibreOffice, Scratch, Thonny Python IDE. Experiment with example projects.
- Start Your First Project: Follow online tutorials. Start simple - maybe an LED blinker using GPIO, then gradually increase complexity.
- Join the Community: Visit raspberrypi.org/forums, Reddit's r/raspberry_pi, and official documentation. The community is incredibly helpful.
Raspberry Pi Model Comparison Table
| Model | CPU | RAM | WiFi/BT | USB | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi 5 | 2.4GHz Quad A76 | 4/8GB | WiFi 5, BT 5.0 | 2× USB 3.0 | Desktop, AI/ML | €60-80 |
| Pi 4 | 1.8GHz Quad A72 | 2/4/8GB | WiFi 5, BT 5.0 | 2× USB 3.0 | Server, Gaming | €40-70 |
| Pi 3B+ | 1.4GHz Quad A53 | 1GB | WiFi 4, BT 4.2 | 4× USB 2.0 | IoT, Learning | €35-40 |
| Zero 2 W | 1GHz Quad A53 | 512MB | WiFi 4, BT 4.2 | 1× micro USB | Compact, Camera | €15-20 |
| Pico W | 133MHz Dual M0+ | 264KB | WiFi 4 | micro USB | MCU Projects | €6-10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Raspberry Pi and Arduino?
Raspberry Pi is a full Linux computer with CPU, RAM, storage, and OS - perfect for complex software, networking, and multitasking. Arduino is a microcontroller for real-time hardware control with no OS. Use Pi for computing projects, Arduino for embedded control. Many projects use both together!
Can Raspberry Pi run Windows?
Raspberry Pi officially runs Raspberry Pi OS (Linux-based). You can install Windows 10/11 IoT Core (limited version) or run Windows applications using Wine/Box86 emulation. For full desktop experience, stick with Raspberry Pi OS - it's optimized and includes everything you need.
Do I need programming knowledge to use Raspberry Pi?
Not necessarily! You can use Pi as a regular desktop computer without programming. However, to unlock its full potential for projects, learning Python is highly recommended. Pi comes with educational tools like Scratch (visual programming) and Thonny (Python IDE) perfect for beginners.
How much power does Raspberry Pi consume?
Power consumption varies by model and load. Pi 4 uses 3-6W (idle to full load), Pi 3B+ uses 2-4W, and Pi Zero 2 W uses only 0.4-1W. This makes them excellent for 24/7 operation - a Pi 4 running continuously costs only €5-10 per year in electricity.
Can I use any microSD card with Raspberry Pi?
Technically yes, but use Class 10 or UHS-I cards from reputable brands (SanDisk, Samsung) for best performance and reliability. Cheap cards cause slow performance and corruption. Minimum 16GB, recommended 32GB or more. For Pi 5, consider using M.2 HAT+ with NVMe SSD for much faster storage.
What can I build with Raspberry Pi and Camera Module?
Endless possibilities: security cameras with motion detection and cloud upload, timelapse photography, wildlife cameras, license plate recognition, face detection door locks, quality control systems for manufacturing, baby monitors, microscopy imaging, astrophotography, and computer vision AI projects.
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