Chapter 4: Using Raspberry Pi3

You could create a dedicated gaming device, or an external storage box for movies and music. There are a plethora of Raspberry Pi3 projects that cover all manner of possibilities, each one with different specifications. We have a guide for getting started with Raspberry Pi3 to help you understand what you will need for your first (or next) project.

What you will need

The Raspberry Pi3 ships as just the singleboard mini computer. There are a few additional components you will need before you can get started. So, when making your purchase, keep in mind that you’ll need the following extras.

1. Raspberry Pi

   There are five different models of Raspberry Pi. The Pi 2 Model B or Pi 1 Model B+ and Pi 3 Model B are ideal for beginner projects because they are the most versatile and have the widest range of capabilities. The Pi 3 Model B has the added bonus of having a quadcore processor and 1 GB of RAM so it supports heavier operating systems, like Ubuntu and Microsoft 10. The Model A+ is a powerful board for building robotics, but doesn’t have an Ethernet port and only comes with one USB port. So, it’s better for people that are a little more savvy with engineering technology. Raspberry Pi Zero is basically a miniature version of the Model A+, but has a more robust computing power. It has a micro USB port and mini HDMI port for 1080p output compatibility, but doesn’t have wireless capability. It only costs $5, but unfortunately, it is super hard to find and you’re going to see inflated pricing for it. CanaKit still has a starter kit available, which is worth the extra money because it comes with everything you need to get started with Raspberry Pi3.

2. Power supply.

   You will need a 5V microUSB power supply. You can find them for really cheap online. You may even have one from a non-apple mobile device lying around the house. I recommend the CanaKit 5V power supply.

3. USB keyboard
4. USB mouse.

   If you prefer to use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you could just get a Bluetooth adapter. I have a Kinivo BTD400, but there are dozens of different brands out there.

5. microSD card.

   The microSD card must have at least 8 GB of storage. You can purchase one that comes preloaded with Raspberry Pi’s New Out of Box Software (NOOBS), but you can also download the software for free from the website, so there is no need to purchase a special NOOBS microSD card.

6. microSD USB card reader.

   You’ll need something that you can connect the microSD card to your PC or Mac in order to download software onto it. Adafruit carries one that is perfect for Raspberry Pi, but you can pick one up at just about any electronics or office supply store.

7. A monitor or TV that supports HDMI or composite video.

   You can use an older composite video display, but HDMI works better and supports audio transfers.

8. An HDMI cable or composite video cable

   An HDMI cable or composite video cable, depending on what the screen you use supports.

9. An ethernet cable (or WiFi dongle).

A connection to the Internet is not required for setup, but many Raspberry Pi projects use them.