What's missing from the Raspberry Pi 4 (four) Desktop kit?

Created: 2019.08.12

Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop kit ... with a screen and maybe a couple more goodies makes for a very economical basic desktop (Linux) computer

Preamble

I realized long after the initial post, that my header for this could be considered 'click bait.' That was not my intention, it was intended to be informative about what does and does not come with the kit, not to suggest there is something fundamentally wrong. Sorry if you came because of the wrong info. But there is nothing on this page to monetize your travels here ... so read on knowing that it has real content and wasn't click bait.

If you already know what the Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop kit IS and want to skip to what's missing, you can safely

In 2019, the Raspberry 4 was launched in mid 2019 and it gives a great way for a powerful yet low cost 'desktop' computer. There are lots of articles about it, where you will find that it runs a form a Linux. That while yes it runs a form of Windows, the Windows that is running on the Raspberry Pi is missing - well, the windows part of windows. Think more a scaled down cell phone with a big screen.

But for web browsing and running any software that runs on the Raspberrian Linux, this kit gives you:

  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, 4GB
  • Raspberry Pi Keyboard & Mouse (which some choices of keyboard options like Spanish and German, but only with specified power options.)
  • 2 × micro HDMI to Standard HDMI (A/M) 1m Cables
  • Raspberry Pi 15.3W USB-C Power Supply (with your choice of power option)
  • Raspberry Pi 4 Case
  • Official Raspberry Pi Beginner's Guide (English language)
  • 16GB NOOBS with Raspbian microSD card

So what's missing from the Raspberry Pi 4 (Four) Desktop kit?

  • A screen/monitor. You will need one or two of these to make this a 'desktop' computer
  • Many web sites claim it comes with a 32GB NOOBS with Raspbian microSD card, but that was a misprint early that it seems no one wants to fix up in their blogs. So it comes with a 16GB, not 32GB (Circa 2019.08)

Other than the screen/monitor, depending on your needs, you don't need any of the items below

  • A fan. If you live in a hot climate, or plan to run this full bore, you will want to add a fan. Update: You need a fan, period, unless you are running your Pi 4 in a freezer and not pushing it to work hard.
  • A camera. If you are used to a laptop, you will immediately note the lack of a camera.
  • The 'correct' combination of power supply and keyboard. For example, being in Canada, and travelling to Costa Rica, I wanted the so called 'US' power option with a Spanish keyboard, but that combo is not available. If you only use English, you won't care about this.
  • Speakers
  • All sorts of accessories to do all sorts of other little and big things that Raspberry Pi's are used.