The launch
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is released on 24 June 2019 as a generational leap over the Pi 3. The Raspberry Pi Foundation openly states the goal: turn the Pi into a usable desktop computer for everyday use, not just an IoT/hobbyist device.
Specs
- Broadcom BCM2711: Cortex-A72 quad-core at 1.5 GHz (then 1.8 GHz with 2021 revision), VideoCore VI GPU
- RAM: 1, 2, 4, 8 GB LPDDR4 variants (the highest is the iconic version)
- USB: 2× USB 3.0 + 2× USB 2.0
- Gigabit Ethernet (vs Pi 3’s 100 Mbit)
- Dual display — 2× micro-HDMI 4K@30Hz or 1× 4K@60Hz
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac + Bluetooth 5.0
- USB-C power (requires 15 W)
- Physical form factor almost compatible with Pi 3 (except HDMI and USB-C connectors)
- Storage: microSD (+ external USB 3.0). Later also NVMe SSD via PCIe (Pi 5 and CM4)
Usage jump
With 4-8 GB RAM and Cortex-A72 CPU (performance comparable to 2015-2016 tablets), Pi 4 is usable as:
- Desktop with LXDE, XFCE, lightweight KDE Plasma environments
- Development workstation for embedded, IoT projects
- Home server (Nextcloud, Plex, media server, NAS, VPN)
- Home Kubernetes cluster (K3s, MicroK8s)
- Docker host for personal microservices
- Modern retro console emulator (PSP, N64, GameCube partially)
Heat problem
At 1.5 GHz full load, Pi 4 easily reaches 80+ °C without a heatsink. The 2019 version generated controversy for thermal throttling. Solutions:
- Passive heatsink — ~€5 for aluminium, solves it for most cases
- Active fan — needed for sustained intensive loads
- Fanned cases like Argon ONE, FLIRC, Raspberry Pi 4 official case
Compute Module 4
In 2020 the Raspberry Pi Foundation releases the CM4 — Compute Module 4, an industrial version with high-density connectors for integration into custom products (proprietary mainboards). Used in industrial applications: POS, digital signage, machine control, mid-range IoT gateways.
In the Italian context
Pi 4 entered quickly into:
- Industrial applications — Industry 4.0, line monitoring, light HMIs
- Home office and professional firms — Wireguard VPN, network storage
- Museums and tourism — digital guides, interactive kiosks
- Schools — operating systems, networking, cybersecurity courses
- noze projects — lightweight edge inference, IoT gateway, digital signage prototypes
The successor Raspberry Pi 5 (October 2023) with Cortex-A76 CPU and dedicated I/O architecture (RP1) raises the bar further, approaching entry-level laptop performance.
References: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (24 June 2019). Broadcom BCM2711 (Cortex-A72 quad-core 1.5 GHz). RAM variants 1/2/4/8 GB LPDDR4. USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual micro-HDMI 4K, Wi-Fi 802.11ac. Compute Module 4 (2020). Raspberry Pi 5 (October 2023).