About

Every Raspberry Pi Explained in 5 Minutes

Mixed Matrix Arts
Mixed Matrix Arts
May 16, 25

Raspberry Pi has grown from a single educational board into a massive ecosystem. With names like “Model B,” “Zero W,” “Pico H,” and “Compute Module,” picking the right one can be overwhelming.

This guide categorizes every major Raspberry Pi board into four distinct families to help you choose the perfect brain for your next project.

Overview

  1. The Classic Series (General Purpose) These are the mainline boards most people think of when they hear “Raspberry Pi.” They are full-fledged Single Board Computers (SBCs) capable of running Linux, browsing the web, and acting as desktop replacements.

The History: Started in 2012 with the Model 1B (single-core, 256MB RAM). Over the years, we saw the 2B, 3B, and 3B+ add features like 64-bit processors and built-in Wi-Fi.

Note: Models older than the Pi 3 are largely outdated and best left for collectors.

  • Raspberry Pi 4B: A major leap forward with up to 8GB of RAM. It remains a solid standard for most users.

  • Raspberry Pi 400: A unique “all-in-one” model where a Pi 4 is integrated directly into a keyboard. You just need a mouse and monitor.

  • Raspberry Pi 500: The successor to the Raspberry Pi 400.

  • Raspberry Pi 5 (The Flagship): The newest and fastest model. It features a quad-core Arm Cortex processor and immense performance upgrades.

Verdict: For a desktop experience, retro gaming, or learning Linux, get a Pi 4B or Pi 5.

  1. The Zero Series (Compact & Low Power) The Zero series shrinks the Classic experience into a tiny form factor. These are ideal for embedded projects, wearables, and portable consoles where space is premium.

  • Zero (2015): The original $5 computer. Single-core, very basic.

  • Zero W: Adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity (essential for IoT).

  • Zero WH: A Zero W with pre-soldered GPIO headers (no soldering iron needed).

  • Zero 2 W (The Sweet Spot): The biggest upgrade. It uses a quad-core processor (same silicon family as the Pi 3), offering 5x the performance of the original Zero.

Verdict: The Zero 2 W is the best choice for small servers, portable projects, and cameras.

  1. The Pico Series (Microcontrollers) Important distinction: Unlike the boards above, the Pico is not a computer. It cannot run Linux.

It is a microcontroller (similar to an Arduino) built on Raspberry Pi’s own RP2040 chip. It is designed for real-time control, hardware interfacing, and low-level C++ or MicroPython programming.

  • Pico: The standard dual-core microcontroller.

  • Pico W: Adds wireless networking (Wi-Fi) for IoT.

  • Pico H / WH: Versions with pre-soldered headers.

  • Pico 2: Updated version with more memory and storage.

Verdict: If you need to control motors, read sensors instantaneously etc. (or need an Arduino alternative) get a Pico W or Pico 2.

  1. The Compute Module Series (Industrial) These boards are the “brains” of the Classic series but stripped of all standard ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet). They are designed to plug into custom “carrier boards.”

Use Case: Strictly for industrial and commercial product design where engineers need a custom form factor.

Verdict: Unless you are designing a mass-market product, stick to the Classic or Zero series.

Requirement Recommended Board
Desktop PC / Retro Gaming / Learning Linux Raspberry Pi 5 or 4B
Small Server / Camera / Wearable Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Controlling Sensors / Arduino Alternative Raspberry Pi Pico W
All-in-One PC for Kids/Office Raspberry Pi 400, Raspberry Pi 500

Conclusion

Raspberry Pi has successfully segmented their lineup: The Classic series for heavy lifting, the Zero for compact Linux power, and the Pico for real-time hardware control.

I encourage you to watch the full video above for more details.

← Back ↑ Top