You've seen that you can create your own console and fully enjoy retro games, that you can also create a NAS and even a system capable of blocking internet ads. For all this and much more, you've probably become interested in Raspberry Pi. The problem is that now you're not sure which model you need. If that's the case, let us help you out.
The best investment for a geek
If you've been reading us for a while, you'll already know that we love the Raspberry Pi. That's because of its incredible versatility in tackling so many different projects that it could basically be described as the geek's Swiss Army knife.
And it is that these plates are so cheap that the strange thing is not to fall and buy more than one. Because when you see the many possibilities it offers, you want to do almost every project you find on the internet.
In addition, taking into account that many of these users share the entire process as a guide, the components used and even the terminal commands that you must execute to configure everything even without having code ideas, even fewer excuses for not getting one if you have Geeky soul and you are passionate about technology.
The problem is that at first it can be a bit complex to know which exact model of Raspberry Pi is the one that interests you the most. If you follow the instructions for each project and stick to the list of components used, there are no problems. Nor if you bet on the latest and most powerful of all the Raspberry Pi models. Although sometimes it is not the smart purchase.
Although they're inexpensive, if you can buy two instead of the most powerful model, all the better, because you'll be able to do two projects instead of one. So let's talk about all of them a bit to help you decide which Raspberry Pi to buy based on your needs.
Raspberry Pi 4
It is currently the latest model released by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It is the most powerful board and also the most versatile due to the number of connections it offers. And it is that on this board you will find a GPIO connection to which you can connect a multitude of additional devices, sensors and a long list of extra components that will give it much more value as a device.
In addition, the Raspberry Pi 4 offers different RAM configurations. You can choose a basic model with only 2GB of RAM, another with 4GB, and a final one with 8GB, which would be ideal for more demanding applications. But, for example, the 4GB model is more than enough for emulators. And the 2GB model is better suited for home automation and robotics applications.
Raspberry Pi 3
The Raspberry Pi 3 is the previous generation to the current one, and it's important to note that there are three variants: A+, B+, and B. The difference between them lies not only in the RAM but also in the processor speed. It's a difference of only 200 MHz, but for certain uses, this might be a slight disadvantage.
However, our recommendation is that, for what it usually costs nowadays, you opt for the basic model of the Raspberry Pi 4. Unless you can find one of these versions at a laughable price, the possible difference that may be there will surprise you. will compensate.
Raspberry Pi Zero and Pico
These models are much more specialized, and the projects that use them have their reasons for doing so. Primarily, size is the most important factor when choosing between the Raspberry Pi Zero and Pico versus the Raspberry Pi 4.
Also, taking into account that for the Raspberry Pi Zero there is a variant called Pi Zero W that incorporates Bluetooth and WiFi connection, the truth is that there are many uses that can be given to it and they will make you love it almost from the beginning. For example, ideal for creating portable consoles through the use of cases that emulate a Game Boy.
There is a third model, the Raspberry Pi Zero WH, which even has the GPIO connector already soldered to the board so you can connect accessories more easily in more complex projects.
Finally, there's the new Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, which is essentially the same in form factor but boasts improved technical specifications, offering up to five times the performance. All this for a very affordable price of just €17.
How to choose the best Raspberry Pi for your needs
At this point, it is likely that you are already clear about which Raspberry Pi model you should buy. Even so, if you still have any doubts, let us give you some final guidelines in order to make the best possible choice.
To begin, the first thing you need to consider is what kind of use you're going to give it . You already know you can do countless things with it, but having an initial idea helps you know whether you should opt for the most powerful model or if an intermediate one will suffice. Similarly, size is a key factor, because the Raspberry Pi 4 isn't the best idea for creating a portable console due to its larger dimensions.
If you are one of those who likes a pottery and you are not going to give it a fixed use. That is to say, you are not going to set up a multimedia player and you are going to always use it as such, then the Raspberry Pi 4 is better and if it can be the configurations of 4 or 8 GB of RAM, much better.
Finally, keep in mind that you'll likely need some extra components . So, if you're on a tight budget, it's not worth going for the top-of-the-range model if you'll already have more than enough power.
Raspberry Pi 400
Finally, we haven't discussed the Raspberry Pi 400 because it's essentially a pre-assembled Raspberry Pi designed for a specific purpose: integrating it into a keyboard. It doesn't offer the same flexibility for different projects. While it's possible, it wouldn't be as convenient as the previous models.
Likewise, we always believe that it is the best option right now to start and start the little ones in its use, because it has everything you need to just connect to the power, load an operating system on an SD card and start tinkering with it. .