What is Raspberry Pi?
Created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the Raspberry Pi is a Linux based, credit card sized computer. Connect it to a TV or monitor, plug in a keyboard and mouse, and the Pi can do many things that a desktop computer can do, such as surf the internet and play music and video. The default desktop operating system, raspios, even comes with an Office suite like Microsoft’s.
They can’t run Windows or macOS, but they can run a large variety of different Linux operating systems (OS), so they are great as an introduction to Linux or as an introduction to programming.
Do I need to know Linux?
Our Pis can be borrowed, plugged in, and used as a desktop with very little computing experience.
However, if you want to experiment with Linux or learn programming then it is expected that you would be familiar with the Linux operating system, and how to update and install packages using superuser permissions.
What else would I need to know?
Pis don’t have a hard drive, instead they use a microSD card for the OS and storage. Our Pis come with a card loaded with the Linux OS RaspiOS, but if you’d like to experiment with other Linux OSes then you’d need to know about installing them onto microSD cards with programs like Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager. You can overwrite our card or use your own, in which case you’ll need a microSD card (32GB maximum size).
Be sure to copy off any files you want before returning the Pi and card, as we reformat them on their return.
So what can I borrow?
Available for 7 day loan we have:
- Raspberry Pi 4 with 4Gb, in a metal case, a power supply, a micro HDMI to HDMI display lead and a microSD card pre-loaded with raspios, the recommended Raspberry Pi OS
- Rainbow HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) is an expansion board that plugs into the top of the Pi and provides extra functions such as sensors, lights and displays (Pi not included)
To use it you will need
- Mouse and keyboard
- HDMI capable screen or TV
Please Note: When you return the Pi the microSD card is reformatted so make sure you have a copy of anything that you need before returning it.