New to Raspberry Pi? This beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know to get up and running — from choosing the right model to installing Raspberry Pi OS and taking your first look around the desktop.
So, you have a Raspberry Pi. Now what?
In this article, I’ll walk you through the basics you need in order to actually start using it. We’re going to focus only on the core fundamentals—the minimum you need to know to get up and running. This article is intended for absolute beginners who want to know how exactly to get started with this platform.
To do that, I’ll cover the hardware you’ll need, the differences between some of the Raspberry Pi models that are available, and the operating systems you can run on it. I’ll also walk you through the process of installing the OS.
By the end of this article, your Raspberry Pi should be booted up and ready to explore.
Let’s dive in.
Different Versions of the Pi
Before we get started, let’s briefly go over some of the Raspberry Pi models that are available.
The flagship model right now is the Raspberry Pi 5, which is what most people start with. It’s available in several configurations that differ mainly in the amount of RAM installed. At the time of recording, models range from 1GB all the way up to 16GB of RAM.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the memory cannot be upgraded later, so you’ll want to choose the right amount when you purchase one.
As a general guideline:
- 1GB can work if you’re running a lightweight server without a graphical interface.
- 2GB is probably the minimum I’d recommend for most users.
- 4GB is a reasonable starting point if you plan to use the Pi as a desktop.
- 8GB is more comfortable for web browsing and heavier applications.
- 16GB is best suited for people planning heavier workloads or more advanced projects.
It’s also important to know that a Raspberry Pi 5 doesn’t function by itself. You’ll need to add a few accessories before it’s usable, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Before that, though, there are a couple of other Pi models worth mentioning.
One of them is the Raspberry Pi Compute Module. These are aimed at advanced users and embedded applications. They’re designed to be installed onto a carrier board, which can make clustering or custom hardware projects easier. We won’t cover them in this article, but they’re definitely interesting and worth exploring later.
Another model worth knowing about is the Raspberry Pi 500. These are essentially keyboards with a Raspberry Pi built directly inside. All you need to do is plug one into a monitor and power it on. Everything else is already integrated.
There’s also a Pi 500+ variant that includes a mechanical keyboard, and these models typically include built-in eMMC storage with the operating system already installed. That means setup is extremely simple—you just plug it in and start using it. If your budget allows, it can be a very convenient option.
What You’ll Need
Now that we have a general idea of the hardware options, let’s talk about what you actually need to get started—specifically if you’re using a standard Raspberry Pi 5 board.
When you buy the board itself, it doesn’t include everything required to run it. At a minimum, you’ll need:
- A power adapter
- A microSD card
- A keyboard and mouse
- A monitor
- An HDMI cable
The usual process for setting up a Raspberry Pi involves flashing an operating system onto the SD card, inserting the card into the Pi, and then connecting power and peripherals.
Two of these components are especially important: the power adapter and the SD card.
The speed of the SD card can significantly impact performance. Since the operating system runs directly from the card, slow storage can make the system feel sluggish. Choosing a reasonably fast card will help ensure a better experience.
You can also purchase SD cards that already include Raspberry Pi OS installed, which removes the need to flash the operating system yourself. However, flashing the OS is very simple, so most people just do it themselves.
The power adapter matters as well. The Raspberry Pi uses USB-C power, but the wattage is important. If the adapter can’t supply enough power, the Pi may throttle performance or behave unpredictably. For that reason, I recommend purchasing a power supply specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi 5, rather than using a spare phone charger.
If you want to simplify things even further, you might consider purchasing a Raspberry Pi kit. These bundles typically include the board, power supply, SD card, and sometimes a case. Some kits even ship with Raspberry Pi OS preinstalled, which can save you some setup time.
Finally, you may want to consider using a case. While a Raspberry Pi can run without one, a case helps protect the board and can improve cooling. Some cases even include built-in fans.
Cases range from simple plastic shells to elaborate metal enclosures that turn the Pi into something that looks more like a traditional desktop. Even an inexpensive case can provide basic protection and airflow, so it’s usually worth having one.
Installing the Operating System
Next, let’s take a look at how to install an operating system on your Raspberry Pi.
Unless you purchased a kit or SD card that already includes an operating system, this will be your next step.
The default operating system for the Raspberry Pi is Raspberry Pi OS, and it’s what most beginners should start with. It includes a desktop environment, a web browser, development tools, and several utilities designed specifically for the Pi.
There’s also a Lite version of Raspberry Pi OS. The main difference is that the Lite version does not include a graphical interface, which makes it ideal for server setups where the Pi runs without a monitor attached.
It’s also worth mentioning that Raspberry Pi OS isn’t your only option. There are many other operating systems available, including versions of popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu and AlmaLinux. There are also specialized images designed for specific purposes, such as home media centers or retro gaming systems.
In this article, though, we’ll stick with Raspberry Pi OS.
Installing the operating system works a bit differently than installing Windows or Linux on a traditional PC. Instead of booting from an installer and going through setup screens, you’ll use a tool on another computer to write an operating system image directly to the SD card.
Once that’s done, you insert the SD card into the Pi, connect power, and it will boot automatically.
There are several tools that can flash operating system images to SD cards, but the easiest one to start with is Raspberry Pi Imager. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it makes the process very simple.
Let’s walk through how to use it.
First, download Raspberry Pi Imager from the official Raspberry Pi website.
Next, choose the operating system you want to install, select your SD card, and click Write.
Once the process finishes, remove the SD card from your computer and insert it into the Raspberry Pi.
From there, connect your keyboard, mouse, and monitor, then plug in the power cable.
The Raspberry Pi will begin booting immediately, and within a few minutes you should see the login or welcome screen for Raspberry Pi OS.
Raspberry Pi Affiliate Links
If you want to purchase a Raspberry Pi, consider these links which help support the channel:
