Raspberry Pi 4 facts for kids
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| Also known as | Pi 4, RPi4 |
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| Developer | Raspberry Pi Holdings |
| Type | Single-board computer |
| Release date | 24 June 2019 |
| Lifespan | Will remain in production until January 2034 |
| Introductory price | $35 (1 GB) $45 (2 GB) $55 (4 GB) $75 (8 GB) |
| Operating system | Raspberry Pi OS (default) |
| System on a chip | Broadcom BCM2711 |
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 @ 1.5 or 1.8 GHz |
| Memory | 1, 2, 4 or 8 GB (LPDDR4) |
| Removable storage | MicroSD, USB |
| Graphics | VideoCore VI @ 500 MHz |
| Power | 5V @ 3A via USB-C or PoE (with additional HAT) |
| Predecessor | Raspberry Pi 3B+ |
| Successor | Raspberry Pi 5 |
The Raspberry Pi 4 is a small but mighty computer, about the size of a credit card. It's the fourth main version in the popular Raspberry Pi family of single-board computers. Released on June 24, 2019, it was a huge step up from older models.
This tiny computer packs a lot of power. It has a special "brain" called a Broadcom BCM2711 chip, which makes it much faster and better at handling graphics. This means it's great for everything from learning to code and building robots to playing games and watching high-quality videos.
Some of its biggest new features were faster USB ports, a much speedier internet connection, and the ability to use two computer screens at once. It also came with more memory (RAM) options, so you could run more programs at the same time. On September 28, 2023, the even newer Raspberry Pi 5 was announced as its successor.
Contents
What Makes the Raspberry Pi 4 Special?
The Raspberry Pi 4 introduced many improvements that made it a more powerful and useful computer for students, hobbyists, and creators.
A Faster Brain
The "brain" of the Raspberry Pi 4 is its processor, or CPU. It uses a Broadcom BCM2711 chip, which is a big upgrade. This chip has four powerful processing centers, called cores, that use a modern 64-bit design. This makes the Pi 4 about 50% faster than the Raspberry Pi 3, so programs open quicker and everything feels smoother.
Awesome Graphics and Video
The Raspberry Pi 4 has an improved graphics processing unit (GPU), called the VideoCore VI. The GPU is what handles all the visuals, from the desktop to games and videos. This new GPU is powerful enough to play super high-quality 4K videos smoothly. It can even run two 4K screens at once, which is great for projects that need a lot of screen space.
More Memory for Multitasking
RAM is the computer's short-term memory, which it uses to run apps. The more RAM you have, the more things you can do at once without the computer slowing down. The Raspberry Pi 4 was the first to offer different amounts of RAM. You could get it with 1, 2, 4, or even 8 gigabytes (GB) of fast LPDDR4 memory.
Better Ways to Connect
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The Raspberry Pi 4 made it easier and faster to connect your devices.
- Faster USB: It has two blue USB 3.0 ports, which are much faster than the older USB 2.0 ports. This is great for connecting fast hard drives or other accessories. It also has two standard USB 2.0 ports.
- Speedy Internet: It includes true Gigabit Ethernet, which means you can get a very fast and stable internet connection using a cable.
- Dual Screens: Instead of one big HDMI port, it has two smaller micro-HDMI ports. This lets you connect two monitors at the same time.
- Wireless Upgrades: It has newer Bluetooth (version 5.0) for better wireless connections to things like keyboards and headphones.
- Modern Power: It uses a modern USB-C port for power, just like many new phones and laptops.
A Tiny Version for Big Projects
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The Compute Module 4 is a special, smaller version of the Raspberry Pi 4. It was released on October 19, 2020. It doesn't have any of the usual ports like USB or HDMI. Instead, it's designed to be plugged into a custom circuit board.
This makes it perfect for putting inside other products, like smart home devices, factory machines, or digital signs. Companies can use the Compute Module 4 as the "brains" for their own inventions. It comes in many different versions, with different amounts of RAM and storage.
A Whole Computer in a Keyboard!
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The Raspberry Pi 400, released on November 2, 2020, is one of the coolest versions of the Pi 4. It's a complete computer built inside a compact keyboard. You just plug it into a monitor, add a mouse, and you have a ready-to-use desktop computer.
Inside the keyboard is a slightly faster version of the Raspberry Pi 4 with 4 GB of RAM. A large metal plate inside helps keep it cool, so it can run at its top speed without getting too hot. The Pi 400 is perfect for students and anyone who wants a simple and affordable computer for coding, schoolwork, or browsing the web.
A Small Problem, A Quick Fix
When the Raspberry Pi 4 first came out, some people found that certain USB-C power cables didn't work with it. This was because of a small mistake in the design of the power port. The design didn't follow the official USB-C rules perfectly.
This meant that some "smart" chargers with special chips inside couldn't figure out how to power the Pi correctly. However, the Raspberry Pi team quickly found the problem and fixed it in a new version of the board. This showed how companies listen to their users and work to improve their products.
