Hey everyone! I'm hoping you can help me out. I'm planning to surprise my boyfriend with a Raspberry Pi for his birthday, but I want to make sure I get him the right one. He's primarily a backend developer who works in C# but also has experience with Java, JavaScript, a bit of Go, and some Python. He loves working on his own projects, so this gift should inspire him! My budget is around €200, but I'm flexible if certain accessories are necessary or if I need to get a model with higher RAM.
I've researched and asked a bit online, and it seems like I should get the Raspberry Pi 5 along with these accessories: a cooling case, a USB-C power supply (5V 3A), a MicroSD card (I read that 128 GB is better for projects), an HDMI cable, a mini keyboard and mouse, and ideally, at least 4 GB of RAM (but 8 GB sounds better?).
Also, would a manual like the "Raspberry Pi Cookbook" by Simon Monk be good for him? I'm not sure how helpful that would be since he knows some Python. His birthday is in a few months, so any advice you can provide will be super appreciated!
2 Answers
For a good experience, definitely go with the Raspberry Pi 5. The accessories you listed sound solid. Make sure to get a good microSD card - a 128 GB one should really help with all his projects. But you might not need the keyboard, mouse, or HDMI if he plans to work on it headless from his main computer, like I do. It really depends on how he intends to use the Pi. If he’s doing less intensive work, 4 GB of RAM should be fine, but 8 GB would offer some future-proofing!
You might want to consider the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W if he’s into smaller projects. It’s great for lightweight tasks and very portable, but not as powerful as the Pi 5. If he’s developing apps or doing anything heavy, the Raspberry Pi 5 is definitely the way to go. And remember, getting the official power supply is a smart move!
Thanks for the tips! I think I'll stick with the 128 GB card, that's a good call. He loves exploring new tech, so I’m sure he'll find all kinds of uses for it!