Everything You Need to Know About the Raspberry Pi Computer

Possess significant computing power in the palm of your hand with the Raspberry Pi. This computer is not only tiny and affordable, but it is also an excellent tool to learn programming. If you want to buy a Raspberry Pi, you’ll find a broad selection of new and pre-owned kits and accessories at eBay. 

What is the Raspberry Pi? 

The Raspberry Pi or RPi is a series of credit card-sized computers. These computers comprise a single circuit board that hosts all of the components needed for a functional computer, including microprocessor, memory, input/output, and so forth. The RPi was originally developed as an inexpensive way for schools to teach programming to kids, but consumers have found many other purposes for it, and the maker has embraced that enthusiasm and ingenuity. The versions available include the following:  

  • Pi Zero
  • Model A
  • Model B

How do Pi Zero, Model A, and Model B differ? 

Pi Zero, Model A, and Model B are the three core Raspberry Pi models. Model B is the most powerful and feature-rich and the model referred to when marketing and consumers just use a version number, such as the Raspberry Pi 3. Model A is the original RPi, and it tends to be more streamlined, such as lacking an Ethernet port and having less memory and USB ports. The Zero is much smaller than either A or B at just 65 by 30 by 5 mm, and it has the distinction of being the first computer mounted to a magazine cover. 

What do the version numbers and plus signs indicate? 

There have been multiple iterations of the RPi A, B, and Zero. The plus sign indicates a minor revision whereas a new version number indicates a major revision. The 3+ was released in March of 2018, and that name indicates a revision of the third version of the RPi Model B. 

What Raspberry Pi software is available? 

The default operating system for the RPi is Raspbian, which is a Debian-based OS. You can also use other Linux distributions and even Windows 10 in the form of Windows 10 IoT Core. There is also software available to turn your Pi into a Samba file server so that you can easily share files between your Pi and Windows and Apple PCs. Some of the other software options available include:  

  • DOSBox
  • Media players
  • Web browsers
  • BitTorrent clients
  • Network monitoring tools

Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation.