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Raspberry Pi version 4B offers big changes from previous models. The device retains the GPIO ports known from previous versions, 4 USB ports (including 2 supporting the USB 3.0 standard and two USB 2.0). In addition, there is an Ethernet connector on the board. New are 2 microHDMI sockets, which have replaced the full-size HDMI connector. In addition, changes have been made to the power system, replacing the micro USB socket with a USB C socket. In practice, this means the possibility of using power supplies with high current capacity. What else is worth knowing about the RPi 4? What can it be used for?
Basic information about RPi 4 version B
The Raspberry Pi 4B minicomputer offers dual-band WiFi supporting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. In addition, it features low-power Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and stable wireless connectivity. Compared to previous models, changes also included the Ethernet controller, which now supports speeds of up to 1000 Mbit/s. Along with the release of the Raspberry Pi 4B, the official power supplies, enclosures and other accessories.
RPi 4 - high performance and speed of operation
The fourth-generation Raspberry Pi variant B comes in various configurations of RAM made with LPDDR4 technology. Models are available with 2 GB, 4 GB i 8 GB. Although the physical dimensions of the wafers have remained the same, the heart of the minicomputers has been strengthened.
In addition, the Rpi 4 stands out for its extensive connectivity capabilities. The devices are equipped with a USB-C power port, which is compatible with a recommended voltage of 5 V and a maximum current of 3 A. Built-in 802.11ac WiFi (WiFi 5) ensures a fast and stable connection to the network.
RPi 4 - kits (main module and accessories)
The Raspberry Pi range includes a wide selection of kits, which, in addition to the main device, consist of practical accessories to facilitate the use and development of projects. Some of the more popular sets include the Raspberry Pi 4B with 8GB of RAM. The minicomputer is equipped with a powerful Broadcom BCM2711 processor and a quad-core 64-bit ARM-8 Cortex-A72 processor clocked at 1.8 GHz. It also comes with a USB-C power adapter with an output voltage of 5 V and a capacity of 3 A. Another feature is the fan-assisted design, which not only protects the device from mechanical damage, but also provides active cooling.
What else can be found in the kits? A microHDMI cable allowing you to connect your Raspberry Pi to a monitor. Such a cable allows you to display high-definition video. In addition, the kits include memory cards with a capacity of, for example, 32 GB with NOOBs, which is the installation system. The memory card comes ready with pre-installed software, allowing for a quick start. Some kits also include a cable Ethernet used for a stable connection to the Internet.
What is NOOBS?
NOOBS (from New Out Of the Box Software) is the official system for Raspberry Pi computers, developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It’s a simple installer that allows users to easily install various operating systems on Raspberry Pi devices.
NOOBS is designed to make it easier for beginners to take their first steps with the Raspberry Pi, eliminating the need to prepare an SD card with the operating system beforehand.
NOOBS stands out for its simplicity and accessibility for those new to the popular “raspberry.”
It allows you to select and install your preferred operating system from an easy-to-use menu.
The main advantages of the software include a wide selection of operating systems. Users can easily and quickly install, among others Raspbian, Pidora, Arch, Linux and other systems. In addition, NOOBS makes it easy to reinstall or change the operating system, without using another computer. In addition, the software can be used in a Lite (online) version that requires an Internet connection, to download selected operating systems or the full version. The Lite version already contains images of several operating systems available for immediate installation (offline).
How do I install NOOBS on the RPi 4?
To begin with, you need to properly prepare a memory card in SD format with a capacity of more than 8 GB. Next, the card needs to be formatted to FAT32 file format, such as using media formatting software. The next step is to download NOOBS or NOOBS Lite software. The safest and most up-to-date source is the Raspberry Pi official website. After unzipping the ZIP archive, a folder containing the NOOBS installation files will appear.
All downloaded and unzipped files need to be copied to the SD card. In addition, make sure that the files are in the main directory of the card and not in an additional folder.
How does the software installation work?
You need to insert the SD memory card with the copied files into the Raspberry Pi slot. In the next step, you need to connect the monitor, keyboard and power supply to the Rpi4. Once properly connected, the device should automatically boot up and display the NOOBS menu. Then, in the NOOBS menu (using the keyboard), select the operating system to be installed. It is worth remembering that nothing prevents you from selecting more than one system. You will be able to select the operating system every time you boot the Raspberry Pi.
In the next step you need to click “Install”, which means install. A warning should appear that all data on the SD card will be deleted. You need to confirm this, then the installation process will begin.
Completion of the installation process
Installing the operating system may take a few minutes (depending on the system(s) selected). Once the installation is complete, the Raspberry Pi will automatically boot with the newly installed operating system. If more than one system is installed, a menu for selection will appear at startup. If everything went successfully, the RPi 4 is fully ready for use.
