
Pairing a 4GB or 8GB RAM Pi with a 64-bit Linux distribution (distro) such as Ubuntu or Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian) allows you to take advantage of all that memory as well as run 64-bit applications. Because of the plentiful Linux operating systems (OSes) for the Raspberry Pi, it makes a nifty little programming computer. Chances are you'll overload the CPU well before you hit its memory limit. Stepping up to the 8GB Raspberry Pi model, you can multi-task to your heart's content. For writing, image and audio editing, general web browsing, and opening a bunch of tabs, the Pi didn't falter. Altogether, the Pi 4 has all the trappings of a competent desktop computer.Īs a test, I used a 4GB Raspberry Pi as a desktop for a week and was able to accomplish my day job with ease. Plus, you'll find a pair of USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 hosts, dual micro-HDMI outputs capable of outputting 4K resolution, dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and Gigabit Ethernet.

There's a new system-on-a-chip (SoC) in its Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 ARM v8 64-bit SoC clocked at 1.5GHz. Notable changes to the Pi included more, faster RAM with choices of 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and later after launch 8GB of RAM. While its small stature remained the same, the Raspberry Pi 4 brought a major overhaul. Learn why you should consider the Raspberry Pi as a programming machine, and check out the best Raspberry Pi integrated development environments (IDEs) for all languages! Why the Raspberry Pi Is Great as a Programming DesktopĪn unassuming credit-card-sized development board, the Raspberry Pi packs way more processing power than its tiny footprint lets on.

With its shocking processing power, the Pi works extremely well as a desktop computer, and accordingly for programming and development. The Raspberry Pi Foundation debuts new models and variants regularly. Boasting a massive user base plus a plethora of first- and third-party resources ranging from books and accessories to forums and courses, it's a well-documented maker board that benefits from regular updates. The Raspberry Pi may not be the only single-board computer (SBC) on the market, but it's certainly the most popular.
