In the next iteration of the Model B line, Raspberry Pi has given us the very powerful Model B 4 with the goal of the credit card sized development platform becoming a full desktop experience. The 8GB DDR4 RAM version of this board has the ability to run two 4k monitors at once via two micro HDMI ports and features the long-asked-for, true Gigabit Ethernet. This creates a much higher-performing multimedia experience with the new Pi! In addition to two USB2 ports, the Raspberry Pi 4 also has two USB 3 ports making data transfers that much quicker over USB.
The Raspberry Pi Model B line is a desktop computer in a package the size of a credit card. All you need to do is plug in a monitor, keyboard, mouse and load the latest Raspbian image onto a MicroSD Card and you have a full desktop computer solution. Projects like Tensorflow, PiHole, Minecraft, and Kodi make it an excellent tool for a multitude of uses.
The RPi4 retains a lot of the features of the RPi3 B+ including the pin-out for the 40 pin header. Wireless is still available on the 4 in the form of dual-band 2.4/5.0 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0. A new feature on the 4 is the inclusion of a USB Type-C connector for power delivery replacing the Mini-B connector.
The Raspberry Pi 4 does have the ability to consume more power than the Pi 3 B+, so a proper power supply will be needed. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is available with the use of the PoE HAT (see related products). Those looking to use third party power supplies and cables or to run more intensive programs on the Pi; a proper source of power and heat dissipation measures are recommended.
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The 64-bit OS is still in beta and not available through regular download channel. GPU support is still slow and buggy if using with 4K display. I am sure the software will eventually catch up with this hardware. Hardware is evidently a high quality assembly. In comparison with earlier "Pi's" it produces a lot of heat. I am using with Argon One case, which seems to distribute the heat.
I bought this Raspberry Pi to use as a home media server (using Plex) and file server (using samba). It's been great so far: easy to set up, quick to stream movies and copy files to/from, and no major problems yet. I also got an aluminum heat sink case which does a good job with passive cooling.
The micro HDMI outputs took me by surprise. Knew of the full size and the mini versions, some cursing was involved as I had to return the incorrect cables I had already purchased.
Worked well after that.
Harder to set up a stable OS than I thought. I may just be impatient and not reading all that I need to. Leaps and bounds more than the first Pi 1 I got a while back.
I have been using "the Pie" since 2018 for various projects. I don't over-clock, but this "Made in UK" product has never failed on me, and it's the best-value-for-money computer I have ever owned.
well worth the long wait for availability. using as a weather center
It shipped fast, product works as expected. Didn't come wrapped in an antistatic bag though.