Meanwhile there are the Raspberry Pi 4, Pi 3, Pi 2 and Pi 1. We show the hardware differences of the three single board computers and compare among others CPU, RAM, connectors, WLAN and Bluetooth components as well as compatibility, dimensions, price and functions.
For the differences of the Raspberry Pi we compare the models Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi 3 model B, Raspberry Pi 2 model B and Raspberry Pi model B+. Although the hardware improvements are not as high as some would have wished, the Raspberry Pi 4 also provides the following advantages.
Raspberry Pi 4 vs. 3 vs. 2 vs. 1: Hardware and Features
The Raspberry Pi 3 has a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor that now supports 64-bit, a jump of 4 x 300 MHz compared to the Raspberry Pi 2. The first Raspberry Pi has here only a single core with 700 MHz. The memory of the Pi 3 is the same with 1 GB. The Raspberry Pi 1 has only 512 MB RAM
The graphic architecture has increased from ARM1176JZF-S (Pi 1) over Cortex-A7 (Pi 2) to Cortex-A53 (Pi 3). The connections have remained the same for all generations: 4x USB 2.0, 1x Ethernet connection for the network, 1x HDMI (full-size) and 1x microSD.
Comparison of Raspberry Pi 4 with Raspberry Pi 3
The innovations of the Raspberry Pi 4 compared to the Pi 3: The Pi 4 is available ex works with the faster WLAN 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0, and is also available with 1, 2 or 4 GB, while the Pi 3 is only available with 1 GB. The 4 ports are now also available with two USB 3.0 standard and a total of two HDMI ports. Additionally the clock rate has been increased from 1.2 to 1.5 GHz.
Comparison of Raspberry Pi 3 with Raspberry Pi 2
The innovations of the Raspberry Pi 3 compared to the Pi 2: The Raspberry Pi 3 is already equipped with WLAN 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.1 ex works. This was not yet available for the earlier models. A WLAN module for the Raspberry Pi 2 and 1 first had to be retrofitted if required: Setting up the Raspberry Pi with WLAN. The Raspberry Pi 3 is said to be about 1.5x faster than the Raspberry Pi 2 due to its hardware upgrade and even 10x faster than the first Pi. The Raspberry Pi 3 still supports Windows 10 IoT Core in addition to the well-known Linux operating systems. So you can install it.
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Raspberry Pi 4 vs. 3 vs. 2 vs. 1: Hardware and functions
| different Categorys | Raspberry PI 4 | Raspberry PI 3 (B) | Raspberry PI 2 (B) | Raspberry PI 1 (B+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Processor (CPU) | Broadcom BCM2711 4x 1,5 GHz (64 Bit) | Broadcom BCM2837 4x 1,2 GHz (64-Bit) | Broadcom BCM2836 4x 900 MHz | Broadcom BCM2835 1x 700 MHz |
| Working memory (RAM) | 1, 2 or 4 GB SDRAM | 1 GB SDRAM | 1 GB SDRAM | 512 MB SDRAM |
| Graphics (GPU) | Cortex-A72 | Cortex-A53 | Cortex-A7 | ARM1176JZF-S |
| USB ports | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | 4x USB 2.0 | 4x USB 2.0 | 4x USB 2.0 |
| Ethernet, HDMI, microSD | 1x, 2x, 1 | 1x, 1x, 1x | 1x, 1x, 1x | 1x, 1x, 1x |
| WLAN | 802.11ac | 802.11n | --- | --- |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 4.1 | --- | --- |
| Compatibility | --- | to PI 2 and 1 | to PI 1 | --- |
| Operating System Support | GNU/Linux, BSD, Plan 9, RISC OS, Windows 10 IoT Core | GNU/Linux, BSD, Plan 9, RISC OS, Windows 10 IoT Core | GNU/Linux, BSD, Plan 9, RISC OS, Windows 10 IoT Core | GNU/Linux, BSD, Plan 9, RISC OS |
| Dimensions | 86 x 56 x 21 mm | 86 x 56 x 21 mm | 86 x 56 x 21 mm | 86 x 56 x 21 mm |
| Price | ~ 40 bis 65 Euro | ~ 35 Euro | ~ 40 Euro | ~ 35 Euro |