So, you have a Raspberry Pi…but what do you do with it?!
Well, there are a few things that are required to turn your Raspberry Pi unit, into a fully working computer.
1. An Operating System (installed on a micro SD card).
– First you will need to buy a microSD card (8GB should do nicely). You can buy one with the Raspberry Pi operating system pre-installed – this will save you time and you will not need to carry out the instructions in the next bullet point. But if you do choose to use a blank card, follow this next instruction…
– Then you will need to install the Raspberry Pi operating system on the card (think of this operating system like “Windows OS”…for example, your school PC will not work without Windows 10 installed!). This is an easy process IF YOU READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
2. A Power Supply.
Your Raspberry Pi will not turn on unless it has a power supply. You can get a compatible power supply for a few pounds from many online shops (such as Amazon).
3. A monitor (TV) and HDMI cable.
Like a PC, your Raspberry Pi will not be usable unless it has a screen. Your Raspberry Pi unit will come with an HDMI output and so if you connect this to a monitor or your home TV, with an HDMI cable, you will be able to see the computer’s operating system once the Raspberry Pi unit has loaded (provided that you have completed points 1 and 2 above).
4. A Keyboard and a Mouse.
Finally, if you want to interact with your computer, you will need to connect a USB keyboard and USB mouse. This will allow you to open and use the programs that the Raspberry Pi has to offer.
OK, what next?
Why not get to understand the true capabilities of your Raspberry Pi, by getting your hands on one of these kits?
They each come with easy to follow worksheets and allow you to see the practical nature of computing!
