Used Raspberry PI 4, faster than previous versions, at 40 euros, which can be used as a normal PC even with Windows 10
The Raspberry Pi is a real pocket computer, designed for computer scientists who want to tinker with code and create small computers for home automation, small desktop PCs, data servers and media servers to connect to TV or the network. domestic. This does not mean that less experienced users cannot try the Raspberry PI 4: sometimes just the right case and some Internet guides are enough to immediately start using the mini PC for the most diverse purposes, from file server to definitive media center .
In the guide that follows, we’ll show you what you need to use the Raspberry PI 4 and what are the best kit cases to bet on so you can decide for yourself what to turn our little handheld into.
If we don’t know where to buy a pure Raspberry PI 4 (without modifications and without case), we advise you to take a look at the
What is the Raspberry Pi 4
The Raspberry Pi 4 is a development board designed to test programming codes and new control scripts, so it was born as a platform for developers. Over the years, it has made a name for itself as a mini pocket PC since the ARM processor present on it lends itself very well to a real mini-computer . This latest model is very similar to the Raspberry Pi 3 model, it has the same shape but is remarkably faster and also has the Wi-Fi Receiver to connect to wireless networks without the need for an adapter.
The Raspberry Pi 4 has the operating system inside raspbian to install if you want to use the PI like a normal Linux computer, now much faster than previous versions.
The Raspberry Pi 4 can easily be used as a normal desktop computer to surf the internet, listen to music, watch movies and work on Office documents thanks to LibreOffice.
What it takes to run the Raspberry Pi 4
Obviously the Raspberry, alone, is not enough to be used as a PC and, in addition to some installation work, it is also necessary to consider the purchase of:
- a USB Type-C cable for power supply;
- a USB keyboard and mouse;
- a microSD card of at least 32 GB for the operating system and programs;
- an HDMI cable or a 3.5 mm composite audio/video cable;
- a monitor with an HDMI socket;
- a USB hub to increase the number of usable ports;
- a protective case.
All these elements can be purchased separately or in special kits for Raspberry Pi 4, in order to immediately have everything you need to work. In the following chapters, we will show you what best kits for Raspberry Pi 4 we can buy on Amazon for some common operations or usage scenarios.
Raspberry Pi 4 as a pocket desktop PC
Those who want to use the Raspberry Pi 4 as a pocket desktop computer can focus on the Vemico Raspberry Pi 4 kit one of the best available on Amazon.
On this kit we find a 32 GB SD card, ABS case, cooling fan, heat sink, cable. 5V 3A power cable with switch and card reader.
Alternatively, we can also review the GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 DeskPi Pro V2 Kits And Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 8GB RAM Barebones Kit both with 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 and all the accessories you need to start using the Raspberry Pi 4 as a desktop computer.
Raspberry Pi 4 as a retro game console
The Raspberry Pi 4 lends itself well to a retrogaming console, as it offers all the power needed to emulate older consoles (from the old NES to the PlayStation 1). The best kit to use for using the Raspberry Pi 4 as a game console is the Owootec RETROFLAG NESPi 4 Case with Raspberry Pi 4 4GB .
With this kit we will have a case inspired by the NES console, 2 wired USB game controllers, a 32 GB SD card, a cooling fan, a micro HDMI adapter, an HDMI cable, heat sinks for Raspberry Pi 4 and a SATA cartridge adapter (if possible, insert a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive).
Alternatively, we can purchase the DVOZVO Raspberry Pi 4 B Model B 4GB RAM Starter Kit, a kit very similar to the previous one inspired by the NES console.
Raspberry Pi 4 in tablet form
The Raspberry Pi 4 can also become a modern tablet with a touchscreen, using a dedicated case like the Raspberry Pi 4, WIMAXIT 7 inch Touchscreen .
This small touchscreen offers a rear docking base to install the Raspberry Pi 4 (not included), so you can use the Raspbian operating system to access the Internet, stream movies, or access shared files on the LAN.
Raspberry Pi 4 as NAS or Server
The Raspberry Pi 4 is ideal as a NAS, as a simple data server or as a multimedia server, using the box provided for this purpose. Geekworm NASPi 2.5″ SATA HDD / SSD NAS Storage Kit .
Using this enclosure we can turn the Raspberry Pi 4 into a modern NAS, installing the kit for the power button and for managing the SSD or disk server (installable at the bottom) After the initial setup, simply connect this NAS or server to the modem via an Ethernet cable to enjoy a stable data server with very low power consumption.
On the same topic, we can read our article on how to create a Linux server and how to create a DLNA server .
conclusion
We’ve talked a lot in the past about the Raspberry PI as a real computer or a media center and we’re still talking about it today by introducing the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B version, which can smoothly handle even 4K streaming content, as well that work perfectly as a handheld, retro game console, tablet and data server (NAS).
Besides being a more powerful computer than the previous version, the most important fact about the new Raspberry Pi 4 is the fact that it is compatible with a dedicated version of Windows 10 as seen in our guide on the How to install Windows 10 on Raspberry PI .
If you like the idea but want something complete that is a PC out of the box, I refer you to the article on Small desktop PCs: NUC, Chromebox or VivoPC, also perfect as Mediacenter .