A mini-computer at an affordable price with numerous applications. With the Raspberry Pi you can create your own electronics projects and experiments. Whether you want to control a robot, build an internet radio or design your own smart home system, the Raspberry Pi is ideal for this. It is usually controlled with Python, an easy-to-read, concise and easy-to-learn programming language, which is suitable for beginners but also supports complex projects.
But what are the first steps? Our guide will show you what you need to get started, how to get a Raspberry Pi to work, and what initial projects are best for beginners.
Here’s what you need to get started:
There are several different models to the Raspberry Pi which differ only minimally in price but noticably in the equipment itself.Thus, only the new Raspberry Pi 3 has integrated WLAN and Bluetooth, particularly useful for the construction of smart home components. Another advantage of the Raspberry Pi 3 is the CPU clock speed of 1,200 MHz and quad processor.
Before you buy, check which version of the mini-computer best suits your project. If you would like to keep your options open for more useful functions or later upgrades to more complex functions, the Raspberry Pi 3 is certainly a good choice.
Necessary accessories for the Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi is comparable to the hard disk of your PC; you can only use it with the right accessories. The equipment needed depends entirely on your own personal project and the intended use of the Raspberry Pi. However, a few things are must-haves:
A Micro SD card
This is needed to be able to put the Raspberry Pi into operation, as the operating system can only be read from the micro SD card, not from a USB stick. Depending on the operating system you choose, between 2-6 GB of disk space is required. For example, you can buy micro SD cards which are already set up with the NOOBS operating system.
Power Supply
Without power the Raspberry Pi simply can’t function. For a sufficient power supply you can use a micro-USB plug. The power supply should be suitable for continuous use and supply at least 2,000 mA.
Covering & Cooling
In order to protect the board from dust and damage, a large number of coverings are available in various shapes and colours. If you plan projects that require continuous use of the Raspberry Pi, you should also take into account the installation of a cooling system to prevent overheating.
Other accessories
When you have the Raspberry Pi running, you will need a way to enter commands and see them on screen. The USB mouse, keyboard and screen are indispensable in most cases, but can be “borrowed” for programming from your PC.
For beginners especially, it is worth taking a look at the starter packages available. There you can find all essentials at a glance and make sure that the products are compatible with each other. Select an all-in bundle with the most important accessory parts or extend as needed to a bundle with touch display.
Of course, there are plenty of other accessories, but what you need will depend on your project. If, for example, you plan to use the Raspberry Pi as a multimedia centre, it makes sense to invest in another HDMI cable.
Generally, it is a good idea to have some ribbon cables and pushbuttons at hand. In addition, the Raspberry Pi offers some freely programmable interfaces (GPIOs) to which electrical connections can be connected or soldered. Some of these pins can also be used as connection points for interfaces to UART, I2C, or SPI.
You can find over 1,000 accessory products from A like adapter to Z like Zigbee here.
Getting started
All you need to start up the Raspberry Pi is the SD card with an operating system, a power supply and a screen with a keyboard. The mini-computer starts as soon as the SD card is plugged into the appropriate slot and the power cable is connected. The installation assistant NOOBS provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation is a great help for beginners. Once the program is installed, it is easy to select and install an operating system from the list provided. Raspbian is recommended for beginners because of the user-friendly interface. You can then connect the Raspberry to the Internet – either via the already integrated WLAN in Raspberry 3 or with a WLAN stick or cable for other versions. With these steps, your Raspberry Pi is ready for its first projects and experiments. Enjoy!
Cover image: Fotolia 120497479, goodcatfelix
