Raspberry Pi: StartUp

Introducing StartUp

I'd like to introduce a series of blog posts named StartUp that are tutorials, guides, walkthroughs, explanations and possible encounters you may face, covering a broad range of topics, of which today includes SBCs, notably the Raspberry Pi.

Your New Device

So you've found yourself stumbling into the world of Pi, welcome fellow Pidawan to this wonderful little world of micro-computing, which has gained popularity exponentially over the past decade.

The Raspberry Pi is a single board computer (SBC) which is essentially a replica of a desktop computer, in micro format. SBCs use low power, are energy efficient and have a wide range of applications from education, hobbyist, to industry. SBCs have all the needed components on a single circuit board, however while not a complete replacement for a desktop computer (but that entirely depends on how you use a computer), nor a gaming machine, these little guys do pack a serious punch especially in the later revisions such as the RaspberryPi 5.

Before we go any further, I'd like to cover a topic that I've found most novices get confused with:

Pi5, Pi400/500, Zero, Compute Module or Pico?

What is the difference between the Pi4/Pi5, Zero, Pi400/500, Compute Module 4/5 and the Pico^/W/Pico2^/W?

Let's break it down:

Raspberry Pi ^A/B/3/4/5
Single Board Computer, usable as a desktop PC and has accessible prefitted GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) pins for hacking (which just means tinkering with objects). Recommended for general users and beginners who want to try the Pi, but still want to dabble in the electronics/hacking side of things if they choose to. The Pi5 is the newest and most powerful version of the SBC, with the Pi4 coming in next. The A and B models are reworked versions of the earliest models.

Raspberry Pi ^400/500
Complete desktop kit, with a Pi5 built into the keyboard. Also acceptable for general users and novices to start out with, because (if you buy the Desktop Kit) all you need a is HDMI screen to connect to and you have a full blown computer. If you want to watch youtube, play videos at 4k, tinker with programming, write emails and just use the Pi as a general desktop PC then the Pi500 is a good fit for you. There's even a cable you can buy to access the GPIO pins, so you can also tinker with it if you ever decide you want to delve into electronics with a breadboard.

Zero ^W/2W
Another single Board Computer, but a much, much smaller form factor (small form factor = it's smol) than the Pi4/Pi5. Aimed at general users & developers, mostly for IoT (Internet of Things) Applications. Not as powerful with only 1GHZ single core processor and 512mb RAM, but great for smaller applications where the normal Pi is simply too large. I run a Zero2W as a headless webserver at home, it's fantastic for small servers, testing environments, etc. Zero's are usually used in PiHole, which prevents network level adverts from reaching your devices so you never see them. Apparently it works really well for things like ITVX, but doesn't work with YouTube. I've not set one up yet, but plan to do so in the future.

Compute Module^4/5
Not a Single Board Computer, but a System On Module or SOM for short. These are Raspberry Pi's packed into the size of a credit card. Usually used in embedded or industrial applications. An example of their usage would be in a 3D Printer, or even on the ISS. These modules have no accesible ports, so require a carrier board in order to access USB, HDMI, Ethernet, etc. While more aimed at developers and industrial purposes, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from using one just like a Pi5. However they are pricey, difficult to find, require a carrier board which can also be expensive and also need a case, of which there aren't really many on the market and are also quite hard to find. I resorted to building my own in the end. Regarding price, the CM5 will set you back around 50 moneys. This goes all the way up to nearly 90 if you want 16gb of ram and not including a carrier board which can range from 20-50 moneys, that is some serious moneys. Not including a case! Plus, they are difficult to use, set up and you need a fair knowledge of how these systems operate in order to use one effectively. I do not recommend them for beginners, but if you have the money, learn fast and think you'll enjoy it don't let me stop you. The PiHut does sell a CM5 DevKit, which includes the CM5, a carrier board, case and cables for 120 moneys, considering the price of a Pi5 though (55 moneys), it's almost double and not advisable as a first device, especially if something goes wrong.

Pico/Pico2^W
Picos are entirely different to what we've discussed so far, these are Microcontrollers. They are used in electronics and require programming knowledge in order to use. They have no Operating System (Windows, Linux etc) and run purely off the code you write and then flash (installing software permanently on storage) to the memory. They are not recommended for beginners (unless that sort of thing interests you of course), require a bit of setting up and you need a computer already in order to use one. There is no screen output on the Pico either, so you need knowledge with the shell and debugging in order to read any output it produces. There is a LOT I could cover on this subject, but I will not delve in too deep here. I have a whole section on my blog regarding Microcontrollers where I cover the Pico, Pico2W, RP2040plus, Tiny2350 and 2040Zero so feel free to check it out.

Regarding Games
Just be aware that none of these, even the Pi5 or Pi500, are suitable for high-end/new games, they simply do not have the power to render new games. They will run Minecraft at medium settings and emulate older console games, but anything past say 2010? Most likely will not run. Don't quote me on this though, I could easily be wrong and there could be games from 2015 that run on them, I'm just taking an educated guess. I can speak from experience that UnrealTournament99 runs very well on a Pi5, so if older games are your thing then you're all set and yes.. they run DOOM. So I hope that clears that up for you. Now we can decide...

What do I choose?

That, young Pidawan is entirely up to you.

If you want my advice, as a general user and beginner; go for a Pi4 or Pi5. This gives you the range of having the full capabilities of the Pi, having access to GPIO if you want to tinker with electronics as well as the ability to use HATs (HArdware on Top) to upgrade your Pi (such as powering it via Ethernet). You'll be able to stream HD videos on youtube, multitask, run older games, run VSCode, do some programming.. whatever you want. Plus, at 55 moneys for the Pi5, it's a fair price for what you get.

If your budget is tight and won't rely too heavily on power, try the Zero2W. Super cheap, not as powerful but sufficient for day to day tasks such as light scripting, connecting via SSH, running a web server and more. You can run these headless (nothing connected except power) and connect via SSH using your computer and even connect to them using your smartphone via WiFi and an SSH app such as Shelly (on iPhone). There is also the option for a Desktop Environment/Graphical User Interface but be aware with a single core of 1GHz and only 512mb of RAM you will be very limited in what you can do. High res YouTube is out of the question, as is Video Editing or anything system heavy.

If you're more of a general user that won't do much programming or tinkering, go with the Pi500. It plays HD Youtube videos very well, will multitask just fine and be a breeze for internet browsing. It has the option of GPIO if you do ever decide you want to try tinkering with breadboard and circuits and is more than adequate for learning programming on but can be completely ignored if you just want the desktop aspect of a computer in a small format. The 500 will also run older games very well, controllers can easily be connected to it for a sweet little retro games system while still keeping a desktop pc at it's heart.

If you're more starting out in development/programming, you can consider the Pi5. It has GPIO and is essentially the same as the CM5, but is a safe bet as it's pre-built, cases are widely available and inexpensive, there are a lot of acessories and add-ons available while still remaining a good general all-rounder. If your budget is tight, a Pi4 is more than sufficient.

If you're a developer or programmer and want to test yourself, get the CM5 DevKit. It's extremely adaptable and upgradeable, HATs are availiable for training AI, the Compute Module Blade has just dropped for massive (or tiny!) server envrionments on a racked system, it's backwards compatible with most CM4 carrier boards and accessories

If you want to dabble in eletronics, creating robots and the like, then go for a Pi4/Pi5 for developing your code and a Pico2W for running the code (the W just means they have WiFi). The Pico's are super cheap. The Pico goes for around 4 moneys and the Pico2W retails at around 7. so really inexpensive. It's best to use a Pi4/5 for development and debugging the Pico because it supports it natively, you could also set up a second Pico as a dedicated debugger, eliminating the need to use Pi as a dev machine and use Windows or Linux to develop.

If you're still unsure after reading all these, try and figure out what you want to achieve with it, if you still can't decide it's stil a safe bet with a Pi4 or Pi5, as these are fully upgradeable, have good resale value and are great for a myriad of uses.

Before you buy

SD Card

This is super important as you will need a microSD card in order to flash the operating system to the Pi. You can buy these preflashed from the Pi Hut, do it yourself with a spare memory card, or although a bit of an advanced topic, installing over a network if you choose, elimating the new for an SDcard entirely. It's best to buy a kit so that you get the pre-flashed SDcard, or buy one seperately from the PiHut.

If you're tinkering with open circuits, buy an ESD bracelet!
I can't stress this enough. Electro Static Discharge will fry your devices, even if they are off. If you have carpets, static will be a big issue and one day you may turn on your Pi to be welcomed by a cloud of blue smoke and a funky smell. Pi is dead after that I'm afraid. It's fried. So save yourself some heartache and get an ESD bracelet.

Buying a case is another good bet too, if yours doesn't come with one, it will prevent dust and also eliminate the chance of ESD.

Those who are tinkering with electronics will need dupont wires, a breadboard, some leds and tactile buttons. I'm not massively into breadboarding and circuits myself, but this is a good head start to get you going.

You may need a Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse, unless you have the Pi400/500, then you will only need a monitor. Ethernet Cable if your Pi doesn't support WiFi, you will need an ethernet cable to plug into your router so you can connect to the internet.

I don't have a spare monitor!

Now, this may not be a problem. If you intend on using the Pi for programming, or as a web server, you can run the Pi without anything connected to it. This is what's known as running "headless". You can simply connect to your Pi over SSH, via your main computer and operate it from there using typed commands. We will cover SSH and running your Pi headless in the next edition of StartUp. If however, you intend on using the Pi directly, such as for running old games or watching videos, you will need a spare monitor.

TTFN

Well, that's it for now! I hope I covered a brief introduction to the Pi well and explained the differences between the Pi, Zero, Compute Modules and the Pico and what you should choose depending on your requirements. As you've ordered your Pi and all the stuff to go with it, all we have to do now is wait. In the next edition we will be covering your first boot, running your Pi headless (if required), explaining Linux, GPIO, SSH and lots lots more!

Catch you next time - Dru