Whether you’ve been introduced to coding through STEM at school or you’re a fan of making and tinkering and are moving into electronics, the Raspberry Pi is the perfect companion.

The Raspberry Pi is just like any other computer you may have used, but it allows you to programme it. Raspberry Pi kits are a great way to get started and contain everything you need, whether you want to learn how to build your own computer or you just want to improve your coding skills.

Raspberry Pi

Essentially a mini-computer, Raspberry Pis are a single circuit board making them not only light and compact, but also incredibly affordable.

There are several models of Raspberry Pi, however the most current are the Pi 3 and Pi Zero.

Raspberry Pi case

Whilst a Raspberry case isn’t essential to start coding with, it will keep your circuit board safe – especially if you’re buying one for children to use.

USB keyboard and mouse

Just like any computer, you’ll need a keyboard and a mouse to help you complete tasks – like coding!

Wireless keyboards and mice are also supported by the Raspberry Pi 3 and make coding that little bit easier without wires getting in the way.

Monitor

We recommend using an HDMI capable monitor with your Raspberry Pi as they carry both audio and visual capabilities in one cable  – making the set-up much easier.

If your monitor doesn’t support HDMI, you can also connect your Pi to a DVI monitor or VGA monitor.

Micro SD card

There are a number of operating systems readily available for the Raspberry Pi, and choosing the right one can be confusing if you’re just starting out.

The size you need will depend on what you intend to use your Raspberry Pi for, but the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Raspbian has an excellent selection for complete beginners and will help you gain in confidence.

Wi-Fi

As a nation obsessed by technology, you won’t be surprised to hear that if you want to connect to the internet then you’ll need to use either an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi adapter.

Unless you’re using a Pi 3 or Pi Zero W which already has built in Wi-Fi.

Power supply

Your Raspberry Pi can easily be powered via the micro USB power connector. A 5.1 V 2.5 A power supply is recommended for best results to ensure your Raspberry Pi isn’t overwhelmed with power and therefore affect its lifespan.