Raspberry Pi – frequently asked questions

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is based in the UK. The main aim of the association is to provide relatively inexpensive and, above all, powerful minicomputers with high computing power to as many people as possible. The devices are used not only to learn programming and electronics, but also to create various types of projects. Students in many countries start their programming adventure with the Raspberry Pi. Thanks to the wide possibilities of the device, its popularity is growing systematically. In addition to the minicomputer itself, on the market you can find a huge selection of additional accessories and parts, including functional expansion modules, power supply components, cases, cameras, displays, memory cards, various cables, fasteners and many others. At the initial stage of learning, many questions arise about the operation, capabilities and specifications of a particular version of the Raspberry Pi. What are the most common questions?

What is a Raspberry Pi?

Not everyone knows that Raspberry Pi has gained so many followers that it is now the third best-selling computer brand in the world, with a huge community of enthusiasts who share their projects, insights and comments. The Raspberry Pi is a computer that can be compared to an ATM card in terms of size. The small size does not limit the functionality of the device in any way – quite the opposite. Among other things, it can be connected to a TV or other display, a computer mouse or keyboard and create spreadsheets, edit text, view photos, play high-definition movies and much more. In addition, the popular Raspberry is also used to learn programming and create both simple and very complex electronic projects. The possibilities are virtually endless and depend largely on the determination and knowledge of the user.

Where to buy the first Raspberry Pi?

Although the offer on the market is very large and the same devices are often sold at different prices, the best choice is to buy from the official distributor of Raspberry Pi in Poland. Why should you choose this option?

• The more popular a product is, the more often it is counterfeited. Beginners and intermediate users often cannot distinguish between the original and the fake. In terms of appearance, counterfeit devices are often virtually identical to the originals. In terms of performance, however, they differ significantly from the original Raspberry Pi.
  • By purchasing a minicomputer from an unreliable source, the user also risks damaging the equipment that is connected to the counterfeit device. In such a case, the initial enthusiasm for learning may be abruptly cooled.

When purchasing the product from the official distributor, the user can choose between the pure Raspberry Pi board or kits that include the minicomputer, power supply and memory card, among others. It should be remembered that when buying boards of unknown origin, the user may not receive regular updates, which will quickly make the software out-of-date.

The Raspberry Pi minicomputer, like many products, has evolved over the years, so that there are currently several variants on the market that differ from each other in terms of computing power and application, among other things.

• The A+ model is a budget device with 512 MB RAM and a processor speed of 700 MHz (the previous version of this model, produced until July 2016, had 256 MB RAM). The A+ model has a USB port as well as a 40-pin GPIO header. There is no built-in Ethernet port, Wi-Fi and no Bluetooth module.
• The B+ model is referred to as the final version of the original Raspberry Pi. The minicomputer is equipped with 512 MB RAM and its processor speed is 700 MHz. It also has up to 4 USB ports, a 40-pin GPIO header and an Ethernet port. Due to the additional ports, the B+ model is more popular than the A+ model.
• In February 2015, the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B was released. At the beginning, the device was equipped with an Arm-Cortex A7 processor. However, currently newer versions (V 1.2) of the minicomputer have an Arm-Cortex A53 900 MHz processor installed. The device has 1 GB RAM memory, 4 USB ports and 1 Ethernet port.
• In February 2016, the Raspberry 3 Model B was introduced. The device is equipped with a 64-bit Arm-Cortex A53 quad-core processor running at 1.2 GHz. It also has 1 GB RAM, 4 USB ports, an Ethernet port, integrated 802.11n wireless network, and Bluetooth 4.1. This is the first Raspberry Pi model to enable wireless connectivity.
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ is equipped with a powerful processor that accelerates to a speed of 1400 MHz, with 512 MB RAM, 1 USB port, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 802.11ac/n and Bluetooth 4.2.
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ was introduced in March 2018. The device is based on a powerful processor Arm-Cortex A53 with a frequency of 1400 MHz and has 1 GB RAM memory. It has a built-in Ethernet port and 4 USB ports, and allows wireless communication via Wi-Fi 802.11ac/n and fast Bluetooth 4.2.
• The much-awaited Raspberry Pi 4 Model B was unveiled in June 2019. The device is equipped with an extremely efficient quad-core Arm-Cortex A72 processor with a frequency of up to 1.5 GHz. The device has 4 USB ports out of which 2 are USB 2.0 and 2 are USB 3.0 which provide higher bandwidth. The board can connect to other devices using low-power Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-F-802.11 ac/n. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is available on the market in three versions with different RAM – 1, 2 and 4 GB, so that each user can choose a specific model that meets their preferences and design requirements.

Other Raspberry Pi models

There are also miniature versions on the market that are half the size of the Raspberry Pi A+. The Zero model features a single-core processor clocked at 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM and one micro-USB port. The Raspberry Pi Zero W/WH version offers the possibility of wireless communication via Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.1. Initially, Raspberry Pi Zero did not have a built-in connector for the camera, but the currently offered version already has one by default.

Can Raspberry Pi be used as audio or video input?

Not in the basic version. However, if the appropriate accessories are connected to the unit, the Raspberry Pi can be successfully used as an audio / video input. The device has interfaces that allow video recording via the camera module.

Where is the on / off switch located?

There is no physical on/off switch on the Raspberry Pi. Simply plug in the device to activate it. If you want to disable the board in the case of a desktop environment, first log out from the main menu. Also, you can type sudo halt -h at the command line. Then wait until all LEDs except the power LED have gone out. It is worth waiting about 1-2 seconds for the memory card to finish its work. Then you can safely turn off the device. It is good to know that improper shutdown of the Raspberry Pi can damage the memory card.

What are the physical dimensions of the Raspberry Pi?

It depends on the particular model. In the version marked as B, the plate measures 85.6 x 56 x 21 mm. It is worth knowing that the connectors protrude slightly from the device. The board weighs 45 grams. The Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W models measure 65 x 30 x 5.4 mm and weigh about 9 grams. In both cases, the dimensions are compact, which makes the Raspberry Pi stand out for its versatility.

What is the power of the Raspberry Pi?

Models from Raspberry Pi to Raspberry Pi 3 are equipped with a graphics processor that enables high-quality encoding and decoding in 1080p30 in H.264. In practice, the performance of Raspberry Pi 1 Model A, A+, as well as B, B+ and versions Zero, Zero W and CM1 can be compared with the Pentium 2 300 MHz, but Raspberry has much better graphics. In addition, the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B operates much the same as the Athlon Thunderbird at 1.1 GHz, only, again, with much better graphics. The third generation Raspberry Pi is about twice as fast as the second generation. The Raspberry Pi 4 is equipped with the extremely powerful and improved graphics processor VideoCore VI. Also, by using the new PCIe bus, the much faster 3.0 standard can be installed in addition to the USB 2.0 ports. The Raspberry Pi 4 comes in two version, with 2 and 4 GB RAM, thanks to which it can easily handle even demanding tasks.

Can Raspberry Pi replace a computer?

For simple tasks that do not require much processing power, the Raspberry Pi 3 is more than adequate. However, for more complicated operations, the fourth version of the popular Raspberry is a better choice. Those who want to enjoy smooth operation should consider a model with a built-in 4 GB RAM, which in combination with a powerful processor ensures comfortable use of e.g., web browsers.

Is it possible to increase the RAM?

No. You cannot install additional RAM memory in any version of Raspberry Pi. This is due to the design of the boards and their ability to handle memory. It cannot be disassembled, removed, or replaced with another. If you plan to use the Raspberry Pi for more complicated tasks that require more processing power, then it is best to choose the fourth version of the device with the maximum available amount of RAM, that is, 4 GB.

Is it possible to combine several Raspberry Pi into one, more efficient computer?

It is possible to connect one PCB to another, but not directly. The computers must be networked so that a so-called “cluster” is formed. It is worth knowing that such a connection requires a modification of the software. Raspberry Pi online forums offer a specially prepared instructions, thanks to which it is possible to connect devices.

Why is Raspberry Pi running slowly?

All Raspberry Pi models run in what is called idle mode. The more the device is loaded, the higher the clock speed. However, it is worth knowing that the clock power is automatically limited when the processor temperature (the specific value is different for each model) reaches its maximum value. This is an extremely important thermal protection, which protects the board from overheating and thus from serious damage.

Can you overclock a Raspberry Pi?

The ability to overclock the processor depends on the model. For Raspberry Pi 1 Model A, A+ as well as B and B+, the board operates at a frequency of 700 MHz by default. If overclocked to 800 MHz, everything should work fine. The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B works with a frequency of 900 MHz. After overclocking to 1000 MHz, the device should still work stably. In the case of the third version, the popular B model, the processor runs at 1.2 GHz and has no default settings to speed it up. The Raspberry Pi 4 runs at 1.5 GHz and offers no overclocking. It is important to remember that overclocking the processor often involves an increase in temperature, which may damage some components.

What is the operating temperature of the Raspberry Pi?

The minicomputer can operate over a very wide temperature range. Newer Raspberry Pi models work fine in the LAN9514 range (older versions with two USB ports work in the LAN9512 range). In practice, this means that the device is qualified to operate at a temperature of 0°C to 70°C, while the SoC can operate in the range of -40°C to 85°C. It may often happen that the Raspberry Pi works properly above this temperature range, but according to the manufacturer it should not be exceeded.

Does Raspberry Pi need a heatsink?

The device is designed not to generate high temperatures. However, the decision to use a heatsink depends on, among other things, the type of case used, as well as on overclocking, especially in the case of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B.

What operating system does the Raspberry Pi use?

The recommended operating system is Raspbian, as it was created specifically for the Raspberry Pi. Furthermore, the system is constantly being optimized to ensure smooth and efficient operation. However, you can use Linux as well. In any case, the software is stored on the SD card.

Is it possible to run Windows 10 on a Raspberry Pi?

Standard Windows 10 cannot be used, though there is a special version of the software called Windows 10 IoT. However, it is worth knowing it does not have a graphic desktop. The Raspberry Pi community has found a way to run Windows 10, but the software works very slowly, which significantly limits its use in practice.

How do I update a Raspberry Pi?

Regular updating of the system is extremely important, as it includes necessary corrections for applications in use, among other things. Thanks to updating, the system works smoothly and ensures comfortable use. The whole process is fast and does not require any special knowledge. How to perform the update? First, you need to open a terminal window and use two commands:

• Sudo apt update – downloads all the necessary information about the update, as well as about its sources, so that the system recognizes the latest update.
• Sudo apt full-upgrade – after entering this command, the Raspberry Pi will download and install all the latest updates.

The manufacturer recommends updating the software about every 7 days.

What displays does the Raspberry Pi support?

It depends on the particular model. The fourth version of Raspberry Pi can even support two monitors thanks to its micro-HDMI ports. Moreover, it can display the image in full 4K resolution. However, it should be remembered that in order to process a signal in high resolution, you should use high-quality cables, which can be easily purchased from official distributor. Older Raspberry Pi models sometimes require adapter cables to connect analog and digital TVs.

Does Raspberry Pi support touch screens?

Yes. You can easily buy them from official distributors. Capacitive touchscreens use the DSI connector.

You can find more answers to questions on various websites where Raspberry Pi fans share their experiences and offer help. Raspberry Pi is one of the best devices for hands-on learning of electronics and programming because of its wide range of functions and affordable price.