Raspberry Pi: Compute Module 4 launches for US$25 with powerful upgrades and a new form factor

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released a new version of the Compute Module, following the release of the Raspberry Pi 4 last year. The design of the Compute Module has been overhauled, unlike the Raspberry Pi 4, which retained the shape of its predecessors. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has replaced the DDR2 SODIMM shape of the Compute Module, allowing the fourth-generation model to be more compact. However, this also means that the Compute Module 4 is incompatible with past Compute Module accessories.

The Compute Module 4 measures 55 x 40 mm, on which the Raspberry Pi Foundation has integrated a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core processor, a VideoCore VI GPU and up to 8 GB of LPDDR4-3200 RAM. The Compute Module 4 will also be available with 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB of RAM, just like the Raspberry Pi 4. The Raspberry Pi Foundation does not include any storage by default, but the module can be configured with 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB of eMMC flash storage. Similarly, the Raspberry Pi Foundation sells Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity as an optional extra.

The Compute Module 4 may not look like it has any I/O, but it supports dual HDMI, MIPI DSI and MIPI CSI-2 interfaces. Also, the board supports Gigabit Ethernet, a PCI Express 2.0 interface and a 28-pin GPIO. There is an SD card interface too. The Raspberry Pi Foundation sells an IO Board should you need full-size connectors of these.

The Compute Module 4 starts at US$25 for the Lite model, which has 1 GB of RAM, no storage and no Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity. Prices rise to US$90 for the 8 GB edition with all the bells and whistles. The Raspberry Pi Foundation states that the Module 4 will remain in production until at least January 2028.

Buy CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Starter Kit  now on Amazon