Tag Archives: model b

Which Raspberry Pi Should I Use?

Which Raspberry Pi or RBPi you will use is getting more and more difficult to answer as the family keeps growing. It was simple and straightforward when the RBPi first launched – there was only one model. Since then, with four major models to choose from, things are more complicated. However, this versatile beast comes in different specifications and you should select the one most fitting your requirements. Among the models available, here is a summary to help you decide:

RBPi Zero

This is the latest addition to the family. Although it is ultra-cheap, the RBPi Zero is definitely a fully functional single board computer. Compared to the first model of family, the processor used in the RBPi Zero is more than 40% faster. However, purchasing this variant compels you to make major compromises.

To start with, you will need adapters to use the mini HDMI and micro USB ports on the device. As there is no on-board Ethernet port, you need to use the single USB port. Although you can expand its functionality by adding a powered USB hub, the additions begin to detract from the major selling point of the Zero – its tiny footprint.

If the application does not require a fair amount of connectivity, is low-powered and for single-use, you may consider using the RBPi Zero.

RBPi Model A+

Although a full-sized version, this model also lacks the Ethernet port and has only one USB port. Moreover, it has only 256GB RAM that goes with the 700MHz processor. The price and lack of power makes it difficult to recommend the RBPi Model A+ for any application other than for specific ones.

RBPi Model B+

If performance is not a criteria and price is the only consideration, then the RBPi Model B is hard to beat. The model offers good connectivity as it has on-board Ethernet, four USB ports and a full sized HDMI connector. That makes the RBPi Model B+ more versatile than either the Model A+ or the RBPi Zero.

You can use it for any project that requires good connectivity, less than top-notch performance, and low power.

RBPi Model 2

This is the top-of-the-line model in the family and a surprisingly capable beast. With an updated chipset, a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM, the RBPi Model 2 makes a major difference in the large variety of Single Board Computers available in the market.

You can use the RBPi Model 2 as a media server for your network or use it for tasks of more intensive nature such as running a home surveillance system or playing games. It also allows you to explore platforms other than Linux – you can run the IoT version of Windows 10.

Even though the total power consumed by the RBPi Model 2 is below 1W, it uses significantly more power as compared to its predecessors. For example, RBPi Model 2 consumes more than 33% power drawn in by the RBPi Model B+ and five times more power than what the RBPi Zero consumes. Use the RBPi Model 2 for anything where you need good performance.

Check our other guides for information on Model 3.

What is a Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi or RBPi, the fully functioning, tiny, single board computer costing next to nothing, has been a runaway success. However, a perennial question doing the rounds is – why would anyone want one when there is such a glut of PCs, tablets and smartphones? This article discusses the answer while exploring the RBPi doing real things.

Why is the RBPi Special?
Being an ARM-based single board computer, the RBPi, though unexceptional, is not particularly powerful. However, it is amazingly cheap and that makes it an almost disposable computer.

Several low-cost embedded systems platforms such as the Arduino are available on the market. However, unlike others, the RBPi is a complete general-purpose computer. For a very low cost, the RBPi offers the complete package of a Linux-based machine that challenges the computing power of a desktop machine of a few years ago. Apart from using it as a desktop personal machine, you can also use the RBPi as a server, a dedicated device running in kiosk mode, or for physical computing – its digital IO pins control other hardware.

The RBPi is cheap enough for one to use it to do a single job. To be equally multipurpose, other platforms would need machines that are more expensive. For example, a single RBPi can work equally well as a wall clock, a weather station, a digital photo frame, etc. Earlier, one would be using multiple temperature sensors and running long cables to a single data-collecting machine. The same job can now be handled more efficiently with an RBPi in each location, individually enabled with Wi-Fi and sending their data to another RBPi acting as a central server.

Therefore, the low cost of the RBPi is changing the optimal architecture of several projects.

Types of RBPi Available

At present, all RBPi models are based on the Broadcom BCM2835 system on a chip. This is actually a combination of a version 6 ARM architecture CPU and a VideoCore IV GPU. That makes it roughly as powerful as a 300MHz Pentium II processor typically used in the year 1999. The actual distinction between the different models is primarily based on the amount of RAM and the interfaces offered. All modes come with an HDMI and an audio port.

The initial Model A started with 256MB, while the later Models B and B+ have 512MB each. However, Linux and most applications for Linux are not as memory hungry as Windows, so the RBPi & Linux constitutes an efficient and economical combination.

Although RBPi operates on a capable Linux operating system, there are no hard disk drives and no disk interfaces either. Instead, the RBPi relies on an SD card interface that supplies the 8-32GB Operating System and file system storage.

While the Model A started with a single USB port interface, the Model B comes with a 100MHz network port and two USB ports. The latest Model B+ has one 100MHz network port and four USB ports. Therefore, you can connect a mouse and a keyboard to the Model B+ and still have two more USB ports left for connecting other appliances.