The Raspberry Pi 4 has arrived, albeit a touch sooner than anyone (even Raspberry Pi themselves) expected!
But what an update it is.
Sporting several major upgrades, the Raspberry Pi 4 specs make it the fastest and most versatile version of the single board computer released to date. Better still, the price continues to start at same low $35/£35 entry point offered in earlier models.
Read on to learn more about the Raspberry Pi 4 specs and new features, and to find out where you can buy a Raspberry Pi 4 for yourself.
Raspberry Pi 4 Specs & Price
Raspberry Pi 4 Specs
| Processor | 64-bit ARM Cortex-A72 CPU (Quad-Core @ 1.5GHz) |
|---|---|
| Graphics | VideoCore VI GPU |
| Memory | Up to 8GB |
| Ports |
2x Micro-HDMI 2x USB 3 2x USB 2 USB Type-C Power Port MicroSD slot |
| Connectivity |
Gigabit Ethernet Dual-band Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5 |
| Interfaces |
CSI (camera) DSI (display) |
| Price | From $35/£34 |
The latest iteration of the indomitable itty-bitty single board computer gets a major performance boost.
At the heart of the Raspberry Pi 4 specs beats a powerful 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 (BCM2711) CPU running at 1.5GHz. It’s paired with a selection of memory options: 1GB, 2GB or 4GB LPDDR4 RAM.
The new processor, when paired with 4GB RAM, is able to deliver something closer to desktop-class performance (albeit entry-level desktop, not high-end rigs). CPU-heavy tasks like game emulation will also see some notable improvements on the new chip versus the older, slower ones in earlier models.
Update: an 8GB model is now available too.
Dual Displays, Better Graphics
Sporting two micro-HDMI ports means can drive two displays up to 4K in resolution from a single Raspberry Pi 4 device, the handling of which comes courtesy of an improved VideoCore VI GPU.
Now that’s the kind of upgrade that gets me excited!
As well as supporting 4K display output the GPU can also handle H.265 4Kp60 hardware decoding. This bump in particular will allow media centre makers to craft a killer content hub using the board.
The Raspberry Pi 4 is able to make use of the Mesa “V3D” driver to deliver OpenGL-accelerated web browsing and desktop compositing.
Other improvements
Networking scores some valuable upgrades too. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B boasts dedicated Gigabit ethernet (no more USB pass-through) and wireless networking that, it’s claimed, offers 2x the speed and 4x the range of the previous model, the Raspberry Pi 3B+.
Connectivity and expansion is, as you’d expect for a maker board, well catered to thanks to a veritable surfeit of USB 2 and 3 ports and an on-board a MicroSD card slot (required for running an OS).
The board also exposes a CSI camera interface, DSI display interface, and power-over-ethernet pins. A 40-pin GPIO header is also present.
The Raspberry Pi 4 is said to be fully compatibility with all previous Raspberry Pi models too, so if you’ve quite a collection of bits and pieces, the new model will fit right in.
So, to recap, the Raspberry Pi 4 offers:
- Desktop-class performance
- Faster transfer speeds
- More memory options
- Dual-monitor support
- 4K media decoding
- USB Type-C power port
Want to grab yourself a slice? Let this video whet your appetite:
Buy the Raspberry Pi 4
The Raspberry Pi 4 is available to pre-order today, June 24, with shipping expected to begin in early July.
Pricing starts at $35/£34 for the 1GB Raspberry Pi 4, $45/£44 for the 2GB, and a cool $55/£54 for the 4GB Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The 8GB edition released May 2020 costs from $75/£74.
You can buy the Raspberry Pi 4 at many of leading ‘maker stores’, including Pimoroni, The PiHut, PiShop and CanaKit.
You can find more places to buy the Raspberry Pi 4 by navigating to the the ‘Buy Now’ section of the official Raspberry Pi 4 info page:
Keep in mind that pricing may vary between stores (and currencies), so do shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Also, don’t forget that all versions of the Raspberry Pi are sold without an OS, a power cable, or a case, so you may want to look into purchasing the official ‘desktop kit’ if you’re new to single-board computers.
H/T Kris