Tips for choosing a Raspberry RP2xxx board
Pico Pi Parade
© Lead Image © donatas_1205, 123RF.com
The Pi Pico chips are pretty cheap, which has made them hugely popular with hobbyists. This overview helps you decide which of these tiny computers to pick for your project.
Makers are delighted with the huge selection of miniature boards, as this gives them access to a broad range of different breakouts. The processor is the most important selection criterion. Although Raspberry Pi's RP2040 is no longer new, it is cheaper than its successor, the RP2350 [1], and the RP2040's speed and memory are fine for many requirements.
The main memory goes hand in hand with the processor. The RP2040 has a standard 256KB, while the RP2350 has at least 520KB. The newer MCU lets you supplement the built-in RAM with external Pseudostatic RAM (PSRAM), whose content is volatile and is lost when the operating voltage is switched off. Although PSRAM is slower than the main memory, it's still far faster than flash. That is why there are also RP2350 boards with an additional 8MB main memory.
This ability proves particularly useful when you need to process large volumes of data, such as those associated with large displays. The other part of the memory, the flash memory, is used to store programs and other data, especially media. Audio and video files in particular can quickly use up the 2MB, but even the maximum possible 16MB does not give you massive scope.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.