CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Starter Kit - 2GB RAM

Been using this bad boy for six months now to automatically shut down my server when it's not in use, and let me tell you, my electricity bill is thanking me. If you're looking for a smart way to save some cash and automate stuff, this is it.What's killer about this kit is that it literally comes with everything you need. No hunting around for extra bits and bobs. And the power adapter? Huge win. Trust me, you don't wanna be stuck trying to find the right one. The parts themselves feel solid, not like some cheap plastic junk. You can tell they put some thought into this.Whether you're a hardcore developer or just someone who likes to tinker (like me!), this kit is super easy to get up and running. The assembly was a breeze, no complicated steps or anything. Honestly, if you're even thinking about getting a Raspberry Pi, just grab this kit.

I bought this to use as a media server, mostly local on hard drives. My TV runs through HDMI, which is good and the quality of playback is as expected. The drawbacks to this device are more to do with the Raspberry default OS, Raspbian. The mouse, by default, is extremely laggy due to the default settings, and HDMI is not automatically connected, although it is detected fine. I currently have two HDs and one external SSD running with it and have experienced no issues regarding its intended use other than those mentioned.

I think they make the best Pi’s

An update and upgrade from Bridger General (1 Star) to General of the Army (5 Star): Shortly after posting my review I was contacted by CanaKit. I went over the product review with them in addition to the only two options I can think of that I didn’t do were changing out the micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable that came with it, and a different make/model TV/monitor. At that point I thought maybe there wasn’t enough power coming out of the micro HDMI connector to the stand HDMI connector from the Pi 4 B to display an image blaming fault on the power supply as state in my review. After going through all the troubleshooting steps described in my Amazon review, and in addition to the ones just explained I felt that there wasn’t anything a technical support technician could do that I didn’t already do but willing to make another “go of it” because there has been a lot of exciting projects on YouTube about the Raspberry Pi 4 4GB. They sent me a new Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter Kit - 4GB RAM for me to try out. I received the kit Monday morning on the 4th. Again I followed the instructions to the letter supplied in the kit, putting the Pi together and setting it up correctly and taking my time. The basic same problem as before! No activity and nothing was displayed on the screen (monitor/TV)! I didn’t brother going through the standard troubleshooting steps again because I felt it had to be something entirely different. I decided to try using an old VIZO monitor/TV I had laying around the house instead of my newer Seiki 24-inch TV/monitor I had been using before contacting CanaKit. This time it worked flawlessly! As it turned I did a careful examination on both connectors on each monitor and notice that when I connected the HDMI cable to the newer Seiki 24-inch TV/monitor it wouldn’t fully seat like all the other HDMI cables would, including the one that came with my old Pi 3 B+. I would suggest to anyone having similar issues to first check your connectors on the TV/monitor you will be using before returning the device for a refund. Thanks CanaKit, very thoughtful and kind of you to go out of your way to do this, and much appreciated in helping me getting this amazing device up and running! I will be looking forward to the next upgrade soon!Very Disappointed, My Heart is Broken! Was looking forward to using this amazing device as a second desktop PC. Problem: the red power light illuminated on the board, but there is was no other activity and nothing was displayed on my screen (monitor/TV). I checked to ensure that the Micro-SD card was fully seated all the way in the Micro-SD card slot of the Raspberry Pi 4 B board itself, ensured that the Micro-SD card is properly formatted with compatible software, Raspbian Buster the official operating system (OS) for all models of the Raspberry Pi by downloading it and installing it on a Micro-SD card or use the NOOBS Micro-SD card that came with the kit which is the easy installer for the Raspbian OS. I tried booting first from the Micro-SD card with NOOBS installed on it and then using a 32GB Micro-SD card with the the new Raspbian Buster OS for the Raspberry Pi 4 B the new standard version of Raspbian OS, and for all earlier Raspberry Pi models too. Both with no success but both of these Micro-SD cards will work on my old Raspberry Pi 3 B+ that I purchased from Amazon April 1, 2018 and is working great so far! Finally, I checked to see if the device’s EEPROM had become corrupted (rare but possible) by following the recovery instructions on the Raspberry Pi 4 B’s website by removing the Micro-SD card, disconnecting the device from power, then reconnect it. If the green LED does not flash then the EEPROM will need to be reprogramed but the green LED was flashing. Returned the item for full refund. Maybe i'll purchased another one again but not sure when. Might wait until they come out with a Raspberry Pi 4+ next year. I suspect it might be the power supply that comes with the kit and is not enough to power the device. What else could it be?

I recently purchased the CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit, and I'm thoroughly impressed with its capabilities and the comprehensive package. This kit has everything I need to dive into a wide range of projects, from setting up a home server to exploring the world of programming and even building my own retro gaming console.The heart of the kit is the Raspberry Pi 4 board, which boasts an impressive 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance. The kit also includes essential accessories like a case, power supply, heat sinks, and a fan, making the setup process a breeze. I particularly appreciate the inclusion of a pre-loaded microSD card with the Raspberry Pi OS, saving me time and effort in getting started.One of the standout features of this kit is its versatility. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, the Raspberry Pi 4 offers a wide range of possibilities. I've used it as a desktop computer for basic tasks, a media server for streaming content, and even as a platform for learning programming languages. The community support and available resources are vast, making it easy to find tutorials and projects to suit your interests.The performance of the Raspberry Pi 4 is impressive for its size and price point. It handles multiple browser tabs, runs various applications smoothly, and can even handle some lightweight gaming. The included heatsinks and fan keep the board cool, ensuring stable operation.While the kit itself is fantastic, there are a few minor drawbacks to consider. The provided microSD card is only 32GB, which may be limiting for some users. However, it's easy to upgrade to a larger capacity card if needed. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi 4 isn't a full-fledged desktop replacement, so keep your expectations in check for resource-intensive tasks.Pros:+ Powerful 8GB RAM for smooth performance+ Comprehensive kit with all necessary accessories+ Versatile platform for various projects and learning+ Easy setup with pre-loaded microSD card+ Impressive performance for its size and price+ Active community support and resourcesCons:- Included 32GB microSD card may be limiting for some users- Not a complete desktop replacement for resource-intensive tasksOverall, the CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit is an excellent investment for anyone looking to explore the world of single-board computers. Its versatility, performance, and ease of use make it a compelling choice for a wide range of projects and skill levels. Whether you're a hobbyist, student, or developer, this kit provides a solid foundation to unleash your creativity and dive into the exciting realm of Raspberry Pi.