Computers/Controllers Available for Projects at The RabbitHole
You’ll find projects and information resources at The RabbitHole for the following compute and control hardware.
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
• Launched in June 2019, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B offers a quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, 2GB/4GB/8GB LPDDR4 RAM options, and dual HDMI ports. This model introduces USB 3.0 for faster data transfer and can drive up to two 4K displays. It’s perfect for multiple applications, from desktop use to server deployment and IoT projects.
Raspberry Pi Zero W
• Introduced in February 2017, the Raspberry Pi Zero W boasts a single-core CPU with 512MB RAM and adds wireless capabilities (WiFi and Bluetooth) to the Zero family. Despite its compact size, it’s a fully functional Raspberry Pi board, perfect for miniaturized projects requiring wireless connectivity.
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
• An upgrade to the Zero W, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W was launched in October 2021. It houses a quad-core CPU, providing a significant performance boost while retaining the miniature form factor. Like its predecessor, it features onboard WiFi and Bluetooth, making it ideal for compact yet powerful IoT applications.
Raspberry Pi Pico
• Launched in January 2021, the Raspberry Pi Pico is the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s first microcontroller board. Built on the RP2040 chip, it offers dual ARM Cortex-M0+ cores, 2MB of flash memory, and 26 GPIO pins. Designed for embedded systems, robotics, and other electronics projects, it’s a cost-effective solution for both beginners and experienced makers. Our Pico-4WD-Car-Kit by SunFounder uses a Pico as controller for its driver motors and ultrasonic sensor.
Raspberry Pi 400
• Released in November 2020, the Raspberry Pi 400 reinvents the traditional Raspberry Pi by integrating it into a compact keyboard. It boasts the same quad-core Cortex-A72 processor as the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, but with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Featuring a range of connectivity options, including USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual-display output, this innovative design makes it a perfect standalone desktop computer or an educational tool for computer learning.
You will find projects on this site that can and do use any of these hardware items, with software and references for our projects that use them.
Explore the Raspberry Pi lineup to discover the right fit for your project ideas! They are low cost and supportable with Open Source Software which keeps project costs low.
Arduino UNO R3
• As the reference model of the Arduino platform, the UNO R3 features the ATmega328P microcontroller and 14 digital I/O pins (6 of which can be PWM outputs). It also boasts 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, and a USB connection. It’s the ideal starting point for anyone diving into the world of electronics and microcontrollers.
Arduino Nano Every
• A small, robust, and powerful board, the Arduino Nano Every contains the ATMega4809 microcontroller. It offers 14 digital I/O pins, 5 analog inputs, and is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE. The Nano Every is optimized for everyday projects and is affordable without sacrificing performance.
ESP32
• ESP32 is a series of low-cost, low-power microcontroller chips with integrated Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. They’re built around the Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor, with two cores available for user tasks. Known for its connectivity features, it’s widely used in IoT projects and smart home applications. Our Pico-4WD-Car-Kit by SunFounder uses a Pico an ESP8266 as WiFi interface for the Raspberry Pi Pico controller.
ESP8266
• Prior to the ESP32, the ESP8266 redefined what was possible for low-cost WiFi modules. Operating with an 80 MHz microcontroller, it’s still a favorite for simple web server applications, smart devices, and IoT solutions due to its low cost and strong community support.
Comments:
Arduino hardware (and with its later introduction, the RPi Pico) arguably provides the least-cost hardware to begin developing programming skills and programmable hardware. [one can easily spend more on a meal at a fast food restaurant than it costs to buy an Arduino or Pico controller 😉].
Raspberry Pi hardware provides a wider range of capabilities in terms of hardware performance and software support. And the RPi 400 platform provides a quite usable desktop computer for home, small office, games, and software development.
ESP was the first of the low-cost controllers to offer integrated wireless interfaces and gained popularity for largely that reason (in our opinion).
Low-cost/free software development systems and programming languages are available for all of these devices, making them very popular for projects and education. AND WE LOVE THEM ALL FOR THOSE REASONS!
NOTE: This page originated as, and has been adapted from, text provided by ChatGPT 4 by OpenAI in response to the following prompt:
”As a website author, provide text for a webpage listing and describing available devices for raspberry pi, arduino, and ESP controllers. Keep the descriptions under five sentences, and focus on the most recent versions of each.”
[When the initial response failed to list devices we have at the RabbitHole, we asked that they be added:]
“Please expand your description of Raspberry Pi to include Zero W / 2W and Pico models” and “Please use the previous prompt to provide a description of the Raspberry Pi 400 model”
The responses were considered accurate and suitable for use as is, and then further adapted for relevant topics on this site, with added links to external reference materials.
– dgkallgren.