Raspberry Pi 400 Product Review

The Raspberry Pi 400 merges impressive speed with a compact, user-friendly design. Powered by a quad-core 1.8GHz processor, it effectively handles tasks while maintaining low temperatures. You’ll find dual USB 3.0 ports and gigabit ethernet for strong connectivity. Its ability to support dual 4K displays makes it a strong contender for multimedia use. While the built-in keyboard enhances portability, some users point out quality issues. With ongoing support until 2026, it’s a reliable option for various projects. Stay tuned to uncover detailed insights into its features and performance strengths.

Key Takeaways

• The Raspberry Pi 400 features a powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor with excellent thermal performance, rarely exceeding 50°C during operations.
• It supports dual displays at 4K resolution and provides impressive video playback capabilities, making it ideal for media centers.
• With 4GB of RAM and USB 3.0 ports, it offers solid performance for everyday tasks and expandable storage via microSD and external drives.
• It excels in low power consumption for home automation tasks, drawing only 2.9 to 4 watts during operation.
• While generally effective, the keyboard quality has raised concerns among users, indicating a need for potential design improvements.

Buying Options

Here are three options if you are interested in buying a Raspberry Pi 400.

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Hardware Specifications

When you plunge into the hardware specifications of the Raspberry Pi 400, you’ll find a compelling combination of performance and practicality. At its core, it features a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC, clocked at 1.8GHz—300 MHz above the standard Raspberry Pi 4. This slight boost in frequency might suggest enhanced performance, but in everyday OS operations, the difference is negligible. Considering hardware limitations, you might run into the processor’s maximum potential before exhausting the 4GB LPDDR4-3200 RAM, which is sufficient for typical applications, yet an 8GB model remains elusive. Additionally, thermal performance is significantly improved with idle temperatures averaging between 31-34 Celsius, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions.

Storage options are relatively flexible, allowing larger microSD cards or external USB drives to meet your needs. Performance-wise, while the Pi 400 excels in media decoding with support for H.265 and up to 4Kp60, it’s not designed for demanding gaming applications. The OS, such as Raspberry Pi OS, provides extensive software packages and tools that complement these hardware capabilities. Additionally, its advanced cooling mechanism efficiently manages thermal output, preventing throttling during intensive tasks.

If you want to enhance capabilities, consider exploring USB storage options or combining it with peripherals to maximize your experience, keeping the hardware limitations in mind as you expand your setup. The Raspberry Pi 400 also offers dual-band wireless LAN functionality, allowing users to connect seamlessly to both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz networks.

Connectivity and Ports

The Raspberry Pi 400 is equipped with a diverse array of connectivity options and ports, enhancing its versatility for various applications. Here’s what you’ll find:

• 2 × USB 3.0 and 1 × USB 2.0 ports, perfect for connecting USB peripherals
• Dual-band wireless LAN, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequencies
• Gigabit Ethernet connection delivering impressive Ethernet performance
• Standard 40-pin GPIO header for integrating GPIO accessories and HATs
• Type-C power interface, requiring a 5V/3A power adapter

With these features, you can easily connect multiple devices and peripherals. The USB ports offer high-speed data transfer, ensuring that your USB peripherals function seamlessly.

When it comes to wireless connectivity, the dual-band functionality allows for stable connections with various wireless clients, including MacOS and Android, though keep in mind that performance might be hardware-dependent. Additionally, the Gigabit Ethernet connection can achieve speeds of up to 941Mbps, perfect for high-bandwidth applications. However, users may experience poor WiFi performance due to hardware limitations and driver issues. The GPIO header expands your options for experimentation and innovation, while the power requirements are straightforward, making setup easy and efficient.

Display and Multimedia

When it comes to display and multimedia capabilities, the Raspberry Pi 400 impresses with its support for 4K video playback and dual-display output. You can easily connect two monitors via the two micro HDMI ports, enabling expanded workspace or immersive viewing experiences. This combination not only enhances your visual experience but also boosts productivity for various applications. Additionally, the device’s support for gigabit ethernet ensures a stable and fast internet connection while streaming high-quality content. The Raspberry Pi 400 is capable of supporting dual-band wireless LAN, providing users with flexible connectivity options for their online activities. To ensure optimal performance, it is crucial to use a reliable power supply as specified in the device’s requirements.

4K Video Playback

Video playback on the Raspberry Pi 400 impresses with its ability to seamlessly handle 4K content, thanks to its powerful hardware and specific codec requirements. You’ll find the performance exceptional, provided you follow the necessary steps for ideal playback.

• Supports 4K video at 60fps.
• Utilizes H.265 for smooth 4K decoding.
• H.264 codec handles up to 1920×1080 resolution.
• Requires specific encoding for video quality.
• Hardware acceleration greatly enhances playback.

With the Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core processor and 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the Pi 400 is designed for multimedia tasks. The integrated quad-core processor ensures high-quality performance even during demanding playback scenarios, similar to what is required for a Plex server. Additionally, the device’s compact computer design allows for the easy setup of a home media center without taking up too much space. This setup can also benefit from using a NAS system to centralize and manage your media library.

However, make sure to re-encode your videos to H.265 or H.264 for seamlessly high-quality playback. Using tools like ffmpeg or Handbrake simplifies this process.

While software decoding may stutter at high resolutions without hardware support, once correctly configured, your viewing experience will be nearly flawless.

YouTube streams well at 1080p, although you might notice minor hiccups in full-screen.

If you’re looking for an innovative, budget-friendly solution for a home media center, the Raspberry Pi 400 is definitely a contender, especially with its codec compatibility and 4K capabilities. This makes it a viable option for those considering a mini PC setup similar to those used in whole-home Plex servers.

Dual-Display Capability

Dual-display capability elevates your experience with the Raspberry Pi 400, allowing for enhanced multitasking and immersive media consumption. With two micro HDMI ports supporting up to 4K resolution, you can easily configure a dual monitor setup that meets your needs. Moreover, the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 400 boast dual-display capability, enabling users to effortlessly connect two monitors simultaneously.

It’s important to ensure max video output is correctly configured for optimal performance. Whether you want to extend your desktop across both screens or mirror content for presentations, the Raspberry Pi 400 delivers versatility. Setting up is straightforward—connect your monitors, ensuring you have the necessary micro HDMI to HDMI cables and proper power plugs. You’ll find that the Screen Layout Editor and Desktop Preferences in Raspbian OS let you customize display settings conveniently.

With USB ports for additional peripherals and robust network connectivity options, your workspace can be as efficient or as creative as you want. It’s essential, however, to troubleshoot compatibility issues that might pop up, especially with some monitors. If a second monitor doesn’t work initially, try connecting it independently, and tweak the Raspberry Pi’s settings for dual-screen functionality if needed.

Performance Insights

When evaluating the Raspberry Pi 400’s performance, you’ll find notable improvements in benchmark results and real-world usage scenarios. Its efficient thermal management guarantees that the system maintains high performance without throttling, even under stress. The device’s 1.8GHz clock speed ensures quicker task completion, enhancing overall user experience. Additionally, users can overclock the device up to 2.147 GHz without overheating, leading to even better performance outcomes in various applications. This makes it suitable for tasks like video editing with optimized settings.

The consistent power supply is crucial for maintaining this performance, as reliable power sources are essential for optimal Raspberry Pi operation. Let’s break down these critical aspects to see how they impact your everyday experience. The Raspberry Pi 400’s performance is also enhanced by its ability to use external SSDs for faster data access, which is a recommended optimization strategy for improved performance.

Benchmark Performance Results

Analyzing the benchmark performance results, the Raspberry Pi 400 demonstrates substantial improvements over its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 4B, across various computational tasks. The enhancements are evident in several key performance metrics, proving its capability to tackle more demanding applications effortlessly.

• 20% increase in CPU speed-dependent tasks due to a 1.8GHz base clock.
• Up to 20.1 GFLOPS floating point performance with NEON instructions.
• Consistent integer performance with a 20% boost in CPU-bound tasks.
• Enhanced thermal management prevents CPU throttling even at high temperatures. In particular, adequate cooling is essential for achieving higher overclocking speeds without risking hardware damage. Moreover, this performance boost has made the Pi 400 ideal for enterprise solutions, as noted in its market position.
• Power consumption is optimized, leading to lower idle usage.

When you engage in benchmark comparisons, you’ll find that the Pi 400 excels in multi-core operations, showcasing its ability to maintain high performance across both 32-bit and 64-bit environments.

Significantly, extended testing reveals no substantial throttling, ensuring reliability during prolonged usage.

Altogether, these metrics position the Raspberry Pi 400 as an innovative choice for users demanding superior computational power and efficiency, making it a worthy upgrade from the 4B model.

Real-World Usage Scenarios

The benchmark performance results of the Raspberry Pi 400 translate into a multitude of practical applications across various scenarios. As a cost-effective desktop replacement, it excels in running desktop applications like office software, web browsing, and image editing. It also encourages connection of peripherals for customization in projects, which enhances its usability. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Raspberry Pi 400 has a 64-bit quad-core processor which significantly boosts its overall performance.

At under $100, it’s an affordable option that even supports using USB thumb drives for faster performance and enhanced storage. With its built-in keyboard, you’ll reduce the need for additional peripherals.

When it comes to embedded solutions, the Raspberry Pi 400 shines in various automation and control tasks. You can deploy it for home automation, controlling lights and sensors with minimal power consumption, ranging from just 2.9 to 4 watts.

It’s perfect for embedding into a network, allowing operations without a keyboard or monitor.

Moreover, its versatility extends to creative and educational projects, from building retro jukeboxes to robotics. The GPIO pins and compatibility with various software make it a tool for innovation.

Temperature and Throttling Behavior

Understanding the temperature and throttling behavior of the Raspberry Pi 400 is essential for peak performance management. This innovative device offers impressive thermal efficiency, allowing it to handle demanding tasks without overheating.

Here are some key insights to reflect on:

• Large aluminum heatsink for effective heat dissipation.
• Operating temperatures remain low, even during stress tests (46-50°C).
• Idle temperature is around 32-37°C, ensuring comfortable usage.
• Throttling starts at 80°C, but the Pi 400 rarely reaches such heights.
• Temperature monitoring is easily accessible with the ‘vcgencmd get_throttled’ command. Notably, the Raspberry Pi 400’s throttling behavior keeps it performing efficiently below critical temperature thresholds.

The design integrates the heatsink directly with the unit, eliminating the need for additional cooling solutions. Moreover, the enhanced cooling can prolong component lifespan, which is vital for maintaining performance over time.

Even when overclocked to 2.2 GHz, the idle temperature stays around 34°C, showcasing the system’s robust cooling capabilities. Under normal usage, you won’t face significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance.

The ventilated sections on the casing encourage airflow, further promoting temperature regulation.

Ultimately, with this advanced thermal management, you can confidently push the Raspberry Pi 400 to its limits while maintaining peak operating conditions.

Design and Form Factor

Raspberry Pi 400 presents a unique design by integrating a powerful computing platform into a compact keyboard form factor. This keyboard design incorporates a robust 78- or 79-key layout, ensuring intuitiveness for users while accommodating essential computing components within the chassis.

Measuring just 286 mm × 122 mm × 23 mm and weighing 384 g, it’s not only portable but cleverly structured to maximize space. The Raspberry Pi 400 integrates a quad-core processor that enhances its performance significantly. However, users have reported issues with keyboard quality, indicating a need for further improvements in the design and manufacturing process.

The thermal efficiency of the Raspberry Pi 400 is a standout feature. With a massive heat sink and a well-designed ventilation system, it adeptly manages heat distribution, supporting an impressive clock speed of up to 2.147 GHz without risking overheating.

The thermal management is further enhanced through innovative features like a sticky thermal adhesive and a conductive pad that grounds the components effectively.

Ports are thoughtfully located along the back, including USB and micro HDMI options, facilitating easy connectivity for a variety of peripherals.

The horizontal 40-pin GPIO header promotes user engagement for prototyping, rounding out a design that seamlessly merges functionality with innovation.

Compliance and Availability

When it comes to compliance and availability, Raspberry Pi 400 meets a wide range of regional and international standards, guaranteeing it’s suitable for diverse markets. This commitment to compliance standards means you can confidently integrate the Raspberry Pi 400 into various environments.

• Extensive compliance testing completed
• Certificates available for download
• Compliant with regulations in UK, US, DE, ES, FR, IT, and the EU
• Product available as either a complete kit or standalone unit
• Continues production until at least January 2026

Knowing it’s backed by robust compliance certificates gives you peace of mind regarding product distribution. Each regional variant meets specific certification requirements, including those for HDMI licensing and connectivity standards.

It’s important to note that while some retailers have declared it discontinued, the Raspberry Pi 400 remains in production, providing ongoing support and updates through to 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To conclude, the Raspberry Pi 400 is a powerhouse in a sleek keyboard form, ready to elevate your computing experience. Its robust hardware, versatile connectivity, and impressive performance make it a fantastic choice for enthusiasts and learners alike. Think of it as a ship setting sail on a sea of possibilities, where creativity and innovation are the winds that fill your sails. Whether you’re coding, creating, or browsing, the Raspberry Pi 400 provides the perfect platform to navigate your projects.