Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Review: a Powerful and Affordable Mini Computer

What can I do with Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W?

The possibilities are endless, but here are a few popular use cases:

1. DIY projects. The RPi Zero W's compact size and low power consumption make it ideal for DIY projects. You can use it to build a retro gaming console, a smart mirror, or even a robot. The GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins allow you to connect sensors, motors, and other components to create your own custom hardware.‍
2. Learning to code. The RPi Zero W is a great tool for learning programming and electronics. With its low price point and user-friendly interface, it's accessible to beginners who want to start learning how to code and play around with basic electronics. There are plenty of resources available online to help you get started, from tutorials on programming languages like Python to projects that show you how to build simple to advanced circuits.‍
3. Home automation. The Raspberry Pi Zero W can also be used to build a home automation system. With its built-in wireless connectivity, you can control your home's lighting, heating, and other appliances using your smartphone or computer. You can use popular platforms like Home Assistant or OpenHAB to set up your own custom automation system. With its micro-hdmi port, you can use a hdmi adapter and hdmi cable to display important data and metrics on a 1080p30 resolution monitor.‍
4. Portable computing. The Raspberry Pi Zero W's small size and low power consumption make it perfect for portable computing. You can build a handheld computer that runs on battery power and has a built-in display. With the addition of a keyboard and mouse, you can use it as a fully functional computer for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking email, or writing documents.‍
5. Internet of Things (IoT). The Raspberry Pi Zero W is a popular choice for building IoT projects. With its wireless connectivity and GPIO pins, you can connect sensors, cameras, and other devices to the internet and collect data in real-time. You can use this data to automate tasks or create custom alerts and notifications.

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has a USB On-The-Go (OTG) port, which allows it to act as a USB device or host. You can connect the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W to another device, such as a computer, and use it as a USB device (act as a flash drive) or use the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W to control USB devices or peripherals connected to it (such as a keyboard or mouse).

• As a USB device, you will need a USB OTG cable which connects to the USB port on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and provides a USB Type-A port for connecting to the host device.
• As a USB host, you can connect USB devices directly to the USB OTG port on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. However, because the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has a limited number of USB ports, you may need to use a USB hub to connect multiple devices.

Is Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W fast?

With its quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor running at 1GHz. It has 512MB of LPDDR2 RAM, and it supports wireless connectivity with built-in 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. It also has a microSD card slot, a micro-HDMI port, and a USB Type-C port for power and data.

Compared to its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi Zero W, the Zero 2 W has a significant performance boost. The Zero W had a single-core ARMv6 processor running at 1GHz and only 512MB of RAM. The Zero 2 W's quad-core processor and LPDDR2 RAM make it much faster and more capable of handling more demanding applications.

In terms of benchmarks, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is faster than its predecessor and other single-board computers in its price range. In tests conducted by The MagPi magazine, the Zero 2 W scored 703 points in the Geekbench 4 benchmark, compared to the Zero W's score of 352 points. This puts the Zero 2 W on par with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, which was released in 2016 and is still a popular choice for many projects.

Does Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W have WiFi?

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W does have built-in WiFi connectivity, which supports the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, as well as Bluetooth 5.0. This means that the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W can connect to wireless networks and Bluetooth devices without requiring additional hardware.

What is the difference between Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero 2 W?

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W specification

• Processor: Broadcom BCM2710B0 quad-core Cortex-A53 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1GHz
• RAM: 512MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
• GPIO: 40-pin GPIO header (fully backward-compatible with previous models)
• Video & Sound: Micro-HDMI port (1080p30 up to 1080p60 video output), MIPI CSI camera connector, 3.5mm audio jack
• Storage: Micro SD card slot for loading operating system and data storage
• Input power: 5V DC via USB Type-C connector (minimum 3A), or GPIO header (minimum 3A)
• Dimensions: 66mm x 30.5mm x 5mm, 9g

Compared to its predecessor which only has Broadcom BCM2835, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has a significantly faster quad-core processor, twice the RAM, and built-in wireless connectivity with support for dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. It also has a USB Type-C connector for power and data, instead of the micro-USB port on the previous model. Despite these upgrades, it retains the same small form factor and GPIO header as the original Raspberry Pi Zero. These specifications make the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W a versatile and powerful single-board computer suitable for a wide range of projects.

What OS (operating system) is Pi Zero 2 W?

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W can run a variety of operating systems, just like other Raspberry Pi models. Some of the most popular operating systems that can run on the Pi Zero 2 W include:

• RaspberryPi OS or Raspbian OS: This is the official operating system for Raspberry Pi boards, including the Pi Zero 2 W. It's a free operation system based on Debian optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware and comes with a variety of pre-installed software and tools. It can be downloaded from the Raspberry Pi website and is available in both desktop and Lite versions.
• Ubuntu: Running Ubuntu on your Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is easy. Just pick the OS image you want, flash it onto a microSD card, load it onto your Pi and away you go.
• RISC OS Pi: RISC OS is a unique operating system that was originally developed for the Acorn Archimedes computer in the 1980s. It's designed to be secured, fast and efficient, and it's been ported to run on the Raspberry Pi. RISC OS has a unique user interface and comes with a variety of software and tools.
• RetroPie: RetroPie is a popular operating system that turns the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W into a retro gaming console. It includes a variety of emulators and game engines, and it supports a wide range of classic game consoles and systems.
• Other Linux distributions: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W can run a variety of other Linux distributions, including Arch Linux ARM, Fedora, and Gentoo. These distributions may require more advanced setup and configuration compared to the more user-friendly options like Raspberry Pi OS and Ubuntu.

Things You Should Know Before Buying RPi Zero 2 W

1. Purpose: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is a small and powerful computer, suitable for a range of projects, such as home automation, robotics, and media centers. Before purchasing, consider what you plan to use it for to ensure it meets your requirements.
2. Price: While the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is affordable, it is more expensive than the previous Raspberry Pi Zero models. You should be prepared to spend a little more for the added features and performance.
3. Connectivity: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has built-in wireless connectivity (WiFi and Bluetooth), which is convenient for many projects. However, it also has a limited number of USB ports and no Ethernet port, which can be a consideration for some projects.
4. Power Requirements: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W requires a 5V power supply capable of providing at least 3A of power, which may be different from the power requirements of other Raspberry Pi models.
5. Availability: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has been in high demand since its release, which can make it difficult to find in stock. Be prepared to search for it or consider pre-ordering to ensure you get one when it's available.

By considering these factors, you can determine if the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is the right choice for your project and be prepared to get started with it once you have it in hand.

Want to get started now? Here's a simple (Hardware attached on top) HAT template you can use for your Raspberry pi zero 2 W.