The Raspberry Pi Foundation, on the fifth birthday of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer, released the Raspberry Pi Zero W, which is a version of the Raspberry Pi Zero.
What is the difference between these two models, along with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, and which one should you purchase? Here is a look at the differences between the three Raspberry Pi versions.
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, Raspberry Pi Zero, And Raspberry Pi Zero W Specs Comparison
The Raspberry Pi mini-computers, all about the size of a credit card, were designed for educational purposes. They are not as powerful as desktop computers and laptops, but they have allowed people to create their own projects using the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi.
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is described as the third generation of the Raspberry Pi line. Announced back in February 2016, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B replaced its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B.
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B packs the following components that are not found in the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B:
* 1.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
* Bluetooth 4.1
* Bluetooth Low Energy
* 802.11n Wireless LAN
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, however, retains some of the specifications of the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, namely the following:
* 1 GB of RAM
* micro SD card slot
* full HDMI port
* Ethernet port
* 40 GPIO pins
* four USB ports
* combined composite video and 3.5 millimeter audio jack
* camera interface
* display interface
* VideoCore IV 3D graphics core.
The Raspberry Pi Zero, meanwhile, features a size that is half that of the Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+, the low-cost variant of the mini-computer. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, the Raspberry Pi Zero is less powerful, with the following specifications:
* 1 GHz single-core CPU
* 512 MB of RAM
* micro-USB power
* micro-USB OTG port
* mini-HDMI port
* composite video and reset headers
* HAT-compatible 40-pin header
* CSI camera connector for versions 1.3 only
Lastly, the Raspberry Pi Zero W packs all the same specifications of the Raspberry Pi Zero. However, in addition to those components, it also has the following:
* Bluetooth 4.1
* Bluetooth Low Energy
* 802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN
Which One Should You Buy?
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, the Raspberry Pi Zero, and the Raspberry Pi Zero W each have their own purposes. For those who are looking to purchase and utilize a mini-computer, which one should you purchase?
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is recommended to be used in schools and for other general purposes. For those looking for projects that will utilize the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, check out this previous TechTimes report, which includes gaming emulator RetroPie, virtual assistant Jasper Voice Control, the waterproof RPi fishing quadcopter, and the Raspberry Pi 3 photobooth.
Meanwhile, for users who are thinking of embedding the mini-computer in a project and for projects which will require low power, the Raspberry Pi Zero or the Model A+ are recommended.
