This is a great kit, and the other reviews cover most of the key points. Here is what I would add that isn't covered elsewhere:
1) About the fan complaints -- it's not a big deal. Yeah, you can hear it, it's not whisper quiet, but it's not noisy either. If the room is silent, then you notice it. The moment there is some other noise (music, TV, talking, etc.) the fan dissapears into the background and is forgotten. The fan stays on when the Pi is off. My bigger complaint is that the "logo" shaped opening for the fan is very small, and doesn't seem like it can supply a lot of airflow. Most of the fan is actually blocked by the plastic case, and is not open. However, it doesn't seem to be harmful, as my Pi4 under "normal" heavy CPU usage (installing software, processing images, etc) maxes around 55C, and idles around 45C, just like all my other, older Pis.
2) The kit comes with micro (male)-to-regular (female) HDMI adapters, not full cables. I really like this option, and it's the main reason I got this kit. I often use old VGA displays, and I can plug my HDMI-to-VGA adapters into these adapters. If they had supplied micro-to-normal (male-to-male) HDMI cables, I couldn't do this. So, just be aware.
3) The case is not the most attractive in my opinion, but is very functional. It's a mostly transparent, but somewhat frosted plastic (not totally transparent). The "top" comes off easily (prefect friction fit) to access the GPIO, camera socket, etc., while the Pi remains in the rest of the case. This is nice. Other cases either can't do this without unscrewing something, or the friction fit is way too tight and you break your fingernails trying to open it.
4) There is no "convenient" opening to bring out the camera cable, GPIO connections, etc., in the top of the case. Instead, there is a thin 1mm gap between the top of the case and the body that goes almost all the way around the perimeter when the top is on, and you need to bring the cables out through that 1mm gap all around the sides. This is "functional" but doesn't look pretty. However, maybe this is a good thing for your application, as nothing ever comes out of the top of the case, only the sides, and you have a lot of control over which side it comes out of.
5) The power switch is also a separate adapter. This is nice, because then you can use the power switch on other USB-C cables, or use other power supplies and "give" them a power switch. Again, another reason why I got this kit.
6) I got the 4GB RAM version, because you never know how you might repurpose your Pi later. However, under most normal tasks, I tend to stay well under 2GB (actually, mostly under 1GB, unless running heavier apps). So if your budget is really tight, 2GB would be a way to save some cash without sacrificing anything, I think. With all the other improvements on the Pi4, I would probably stay away from 1GB if you actually want to use those improvements (dual 4k displays, etc.). If you think you'll only ever need 1 GB, you're probably better of just using one of the Pi3B's, or even earlier, unless you have a specific, exact need for a Pi 4 (e.g. headless operation of USB 3 ports, or something equally specific). I tend to use the Pi4 mostly, because of it's speed, to prototype projects that I then later move to old Pi 1's, 2's, or 3's anyway. But the speed improvement (while coding/compiling, web browsing, etc) is noticeable, even over the 3B+ (but it doesn't seem huge vs. the 3B+).
7) When I play MP3's with ANY media player (VLC, gxine, etc.), they are full of click artifacts (a few per second). This hasn't been a problem on my other Pis. I'm guessing this is just some issue with the Pi4 being so new that media software has not been optimized for it yet. I don't listen to music often on my Pi's anyway, so this isn't a huge deal for me. Again, just be aware.
8) It seems way easier to set up some software on the Pi4 (notably CUPS and Samba). You install it and Bam! it's ready to go. I didn't have to babysit it to get it to work right. Maybe that's just due to the new Buster version of Raspbian being better, I don't know. I haven't run Buster on any of my other Pis.
I hope this review helps!
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This Item  CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 2GB Basic Starter Kit with Fan (2GB RAM) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $99.99 | $169.99 | $159.99 | $159.99 | -13% $20.79 Typical: $23.93 | $174.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to assemble | ||||||
| For beginners | ||||||
| Sold By | CanaKit | CanaKit | CanaKit | Prestige Milano | Seeed Studio Official | CanaKit |
| RAM size | 2 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 512 MB | 8 GB |
| connectivity tech | HDMI, USB, GPIO | USB | — | USB, HDMI | Bluetooth | USB, HDMI |
| wireless standard | bluetooth | bluetooth | infrared | bluetooth, 802 11 AC | 802 11 ABGN | — |
| core count | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Reviews with images
Excellent single board computer, great teaching tool for robotics
I bought the Canakit Pi 4 Starter Kit (4GB) with the clear case. I also have the Canakit Pi 3 with clear case.The kit is easy to assemble, just be careful with the fan wiring and position it to blow air into the case.All the parts snap together very easily. The fit is secure with no wobbles and take-apart is also easy.The case top is easy to remove for access to GPIO pins.The power supply is rated at 3.5v Amps and I can connect a 1TB NVMe SSD via USB 3 with no issues (it uses USB 3 power from the Pi).Running a 100% CPU load stress test results are shown below - no thermal throttling occurred.I installed NOOBS and ran the full update of Raspian Buster which took a bit of time (depends on internet speed).I was using the home WiFi and the setup detected it with no problems.I installed a few pieces of software like Fritzing and Sysbench, etc., with no issues.I connected Chromium to my Google account and all my bookmarks synced.I installed KeePass 2 (a password manager) and exported my main computer database and imported it with no issues.Browsing YouTube and watching videos is quite acceptable in performance and response.Then I formatted a second MicroSD card with the Full Raspian image using Etcher and installed it just for fun.Boot time is very short and I can copy from my home directory on the Pi to the other SD card via a USB SD reader/writer (for backups).I have not used Ethernet yet, nor the audio port.Pros:Very small, inexpensive, and fast. A complete single board computer that snaps together in minutes.The fan is very quiet and prevents excessive heat from throttling the CPU.If you have used Linux before you will feel right at home.Cons:You will need to make the NOOBS installer on a microSD card separately.The fan connector gets in the way of a GPIO cable connector, so you may want some sort of Fan Shim if this is an issue,or maybe get a fanless cooling case like the Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case (I have no experience with that, I just heard good things about it).Flirc case at Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Flirc-Raspberry-Pi-Case-Silver/dp/B07WG4DW52-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Stress test script I used - Canakit case and fan with standard NOOBS install:----------------------------------------------------------------------------#!/bin/bash# Stress test CPU# Jim Hurley# version 1.0# 24 Aug 2019# to install sysbench: sudo apt-get install sysbench#cleardateecho "Starting stress test ..."#stress test the CPU - 4 threads, factor primes up to 25000, 10 timesfor counter in `seq 1 10`do date echo "Test start" $counter vcgencmd measure_temp # show temperature sysbench --test=cpu --cpu-max-prime=25000 --num-threads=4 run >/dev/null 2>&1 echo "Test done " $counterdoneecho "... stress test over"echo $datevcgencmd measure_temp=============== output text ============================================================Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDTStarting stress test ...Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDTTest start 1temp=46.0'CTest done 1Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:33:18 PM PDTTest start 2temp=59.0'CTest done 2Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:34:45 PM PDTTest start 3temp=61.0'CTest done 3Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:36:12 PM PDTTest start 4temp=61.0'CTest done 4Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:37:38 PM PDTTest start 5temp=62.0'CTest done 5Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:39:05 PM PDTTest start 6temp=63.0'CTest done 6Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:40:32 PM PDTTest start 7temp=63.0'CTest done 7Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:41:59 PM PDTTest start 8temp=64.0'CTest done 8Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:43:25 PM PDTTest start 9temp=63.0'CTest done 9Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:44:52 PM PDTTest start 10temp=64.0'CTest done 10... stress test overtemp=63.0'C
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2019
The kit is easy to assemble, just be careful with the fan wiring and position it to blow air into the case.
All the parts snap together very easily. The fit is secure with no wobbles and take-apart is also easy.
The case top is easy to remove for access to GPIO pins.
The power supply is rated at 3.5v Amps and I can connect a 1TB NVMe SSD via USB 3 with no issues (it uses USB 3 power from the Pi).
Running a 100% CPU load stress test results are shown below - no thermal throttling occurred.
I installed NOOBS and ran the full update of Raspian Buster which took a bit of time (depends on internet speed).
I was using the home WiFi and the setup detected it with no problems.
I installed a few pieces of software like Fritzing and Sysbench, etc., with no issues.
I connected Chromium to my Google account and all my bookmarks synced.
I installed KeePass 2 (a password manager) and exported my main computer database and imported it with no issues.
Browsing YouTube and watching videos is quite acceptable in performance and response.
Then I formatted a second MicroSD card with the Full Raspian image using Etcher and installed it just for fun.
Boot time is very short and I can copy from my home directory on the Pi to the other SD card via a USB SD reader/writer (for backups).
I have not used Ethernet yet, nor the audio port.
Pros:
Very small, inexpensive, and fast. A complete single board computer that snaps together in minutes.
The fan is very quiet and prevents excessive heat from throttling the CPU.
If you have used Linux before you will feel right at home.
Cons:
You will need to make the NOOBS installer on a microSD card separately.
The fan connector gets in the way of a GPIO cable connector, so you may want some sort of Fan Shim if this is an issue,
or maybe get a fanless cooling case like the Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case (I have no experience with that, I just heard good things about it).
Flirc case at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Flirc-Raspberry-Pi-Case-Silver/dp/B07WG4DW52
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stress test script I used - Canakit case and fan with standard NOOBS install:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/bash
# Stress test CPU
# Jim Hurley
# version 1.0
# 24 Aug 2019
# to install sysbench: sudo apt-get install sysbench
#
clear
date
echo "Starting stress test ..."
#stress test the CPU - 4 threads, factor primes up to 25000, 10 times
for counter in `seq 1 10`
do
date
echo "Test start" $counter
vcgencmd measure_temp # show temperature
sysbench --test=cpu --cpu-max-prime=25000 --num-threads=4 run >/dev/null 2>&1
echo "Test done " $counter
done
echo "... stress test over"
echo $date
vcgencmd measure_temp
=============== output text ============================================================
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDT
Starting stress test ...
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDT
Test start 1
temp=46.0'C
Test done 1
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:33:18 PM PDT
Test start 2
temp=59.0'C
Test done 2
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:34:45 PM PDT
Test start 3
temp=61.0'C
Test done 3
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:36:12 PM PDT
Test start 4
temp=61.0'C
Test done 4
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:37:38 PM PDT
Test start 5
temp=62.0'C
Test done 5
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:39:05 PM PDT
Test start 6
temp=63.0'C
Test done 6
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:40:32 PM PDT
Test start 7
temp=63.0'C
Test done 7
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:41:59 PM PDT
Test start 8
temp=64.0'C
Test done 8
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:43:25 PM PDT
Test start 9
temp=63.0'C
Test done 9
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:44:52 PM PDT
Test start 10
temp=64.0'C
Test done 10
... stress test over
temp=63.0'C
Excellent single board computer, great teaching tool for robotics
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2019
I bought the Canakit Pi 4 Starter Kit (4GB) with the clear case. I also have the Canakit Pi 3 with clear case.Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2019
The kit is easy to assemble, just be careful with the fan wiring and position it to blow air into the case.
All the parts snap together very easily. The fit is secure with no wobbles and take-apart is also easy.
The case top is easy to remove for access to GPIO pins.
The power supply is rated at 3.5v Amps and I can connect a 1TB NVMe SSD via USB 3 with no issues (it uses USB 3 power from the Pi).
Running a 100% CPU load stress test results are shown below - no thermal throttling occurred.
I installed NOOBS and ran the full update of Raspian Buster which took a bit of time (depends on internet speed).
I was using the home WiFi and the setup detected it with no problems.
I installed a few pieces of software like Fritzing and Sysbench, etc., with no issues.
I connected Chromium to my Google account and all my bookmarks synced.
I installed KeePass 2 (a password manager) and exported my main computer database and imported it with no issues.
Browsing YouTube and watching videos is quite acceptable in performance and response.
Then I formatted a second MicroSD card with the Full Raspian image using Etcher and installed it just for fun.
Boot time is very short and I can copy from my home directory on the Pi to the other SD card via a USB SD reader/writer (for backups).
I have not used Ethernet yet, nor the audio port.
Pros:
Very small, inexpensive, and fast. A complete single board computer that snaps together in minutes.
The fan is very quiet and prevents excessive heat from throttling the CPU.
If you have used Linux before you will feel right at home.
Cons:
You will need to make the NOOBS installer on a microSD card separately.
The fan connector gets in the way of a GPIO cable connector, so you may want some sort of Fan Shim if this is an issue,
or maybe get a fanless cooling case like the Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case (I have no experience with that, I just heard good things about it).
Flirc case at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Flirc-Raspberry-Pi-Case-Silver/dp/B07WG4DW52
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stress test script I used - Canakit case and fan with standard NOOBS install:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/bash
# Stress test CPU
# Jim Hurley
# version 1.0
# 24 Aug 2019
# to install sysbench: sudo apt-get install sysbench
#
clear
date
echo "Starting stress test ..."
#stress test the CPU - 4 threads, factor primes up to 25000, 10 times
for counter in `seq 1 10`
do
date
echo "Test start" $counter
vcgencmd measure_temp # show temperature
sysbench --test=cpu --cpu-max-prime=25000 --num-threads=4 run >/dev/null 2>&1
echo "Test done " $counter
done
echo "... stress test over"
echo $date
vcgencmd measure_temp
=============== output text ============================================================
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDT
Starting stress test ...
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:31:51 PM PDT
Test start 1
temp=46.0'C
Test done 1
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:33:18 PM PDT
Test start 2
temp=59.0'C
Test done 2
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:34:45 PM PDT
Test start 3
temp=61.0'C
Test done 3
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:36:12 PM PDT
Test start 4
temp=61.0'C
Test done 4
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:37:38 PM PDT
Test start 5
temp=62.0'C
Test done 5
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:39:05 PM PDT
Test start 6
temp=63.0'C
Test done 6
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:40:32 PM PDT
Test start 7
temp=63.0'C
Test done 7
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:41:59 PM PDT
Test start 8
temp=64.0'C
Test done 8
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:43:25 PM PDT
Test start 9
temp=63.0'C
Test done 9
Sat 24 Aug 2019 06:44:52 PM PDT
Test start 10
temp=64.0'C
Test done 10
... stress test over
temp=63.0'C
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Eingeschaenkte
Falscher Stromstecker und fehlende SD-Karte
Reviewed in Germany on August 25, 2021
