The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B was released in June 2019 with a 1.5 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor, on-board 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, full gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and dual-monitor support via a pair of micro HDMI ports for up to 4K resolution.
Raspberry Pi 400 was released in November 2020. It is a Raspberry Pi 4 built into a compact keyboard. Because it is a Raspberry Pi 4, the Raspberry Pi 400 has almost the exact specifications as the Raspberry Pi 4, with 4 GB of memory.
As such, it also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There are some differences, however. In short, the Raspberry Pi 400 is quite a powerful keyboard computer with Wi-Fi and USB.
Raspberry Pi 400 & Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Specs
Since the Raspberry Pi 400 is based on the Raspberry Pi 4, most computer features are the same.
| Raspberry Pi 400 | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Release Date | November 2020 | June 2019 |
| SoC Type (Processor) | Broadcom BCM2711C0 | Broadcom BCM2711B0 |
| Core Type | Quad Core Cortex-A72 64-bit (ARM v8) | Quad Core Cortex-A72 64-bit (ARM v8) |
| CPU Clock | 1.8 GHz | 1.5 GHz |
| GPU | VideoCore VI | VideoCore VI |
| Audio Output | HDMI | HDMI or 3.5mm Audio & Video Jack |
| Memory/OS storage | microSD or USB Boot | microSD or USB Boot |
| RAM | LPDDR4: 4GB | LPDDR4: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB |
| Ethenet | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB Port | 2 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0 | 2 x USB 3.0 + 2 x USB 2.0 |
| HDMI | 2 x microHDMI support Dual Display (up to 1 x 4Kp60 or 2 x 4Kp30) | 2 x microHDMI support Dual Display (up to 1 x 4Kp60 or 2 x 4Kp30) |
| WiFi | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz+5GHz) | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz+5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + BLE | 5.0 + BLE |
| GPIO | 40-pin Header | 40-pin Header |
| Thermal Performance | Built-in Heatsink | NA |
| Power Input | 5V via USB Type C (up to 3A) | 5V via USB Type C (up to 3A) 5V via GPIO header (up to 3A) |
| DSI Port | NA | 1mm pitch 15-pin Port |
| CSI Port | NA | 1mm pitch 15-pin Port |
| Kensington Lock | Ready | NA |
You might notice in the Pi 400โs specs a new, higher default clock speed than you get with the year-old Pi 4 Model B. Itโs clocked at 1.8 GHz out of the box, while the Pi 4 Model B is at 1.5 GHz.
But you can overclock a Pi 4 to that level quickly, given adequate cooling.
However, the Pi 400, with its overclocked CPU, can a little better handle more CPU-intensive tasks like opening multiple internet tabs, streaming videos, and multitasking.
Other differences are that the Raspberry Pi 400 only offers HDMI for audio output, whereas the Pi 4 also has a 3.5mm audio and video jack. Thereโs also one fewer USB 2.0 port on the Raspberry Pi 400.
Price
There are two packages for the Raspberry Pi 400: the basic and the complete kit, for $70 and $100, respectively.
The basic kit includes only Raspberry Pi 400 in itself. The extra $30 (complete kit) gets you:
- Raspberry Pi 400
- USB mouse
- USB-C power supply
- SD card with Raspberry Pi OS pre-installed
- micro HDMI cable for the display
- Raspberry Pi Beginner’s Guide.
On the other hand, the Raspberry Pi 4 4GB RAM costs $55.
Is the Raspberry Pi 400 for you?
The Raspberry Pi 400 is a well-designed, easy-to-use cheap computer to surf the Internet with. Its nice looks will attract users who, up to now, might have been intimidated by the bare Raspberry Pi boards. It is a great general purpose computer-in-a-keyboard.
You can use the Pi 400 like you would use a regular Raspberry Pi 4. Which is best for you depends on what you’re going to do. So, is the Raspberry Pi 400 for you?
The answer is simple: If you want a Raspberry Pi to use as a traditional computer, you want the Raspberry Pi 400.
But Raspberry Pi 400 isn’t a device for hardware hackers. As Raspberry Pi notes in the user manual:
There are no user-serviceable parts inside Raspberry Pi 400, and opening the unit is likely to damage the product and will invalidate the warranty.
Overall, the Raspberry Pi 4 and Pi 400 perform the same. You can use the Pi 400 or the Pi 4 to do the same things because they’re essentially the same except for the keyboard that doubles as an enclosure. Which one to use is up to you.
