Support our educational content for free when you purchase through links on our site. Learn more
Raspberry Pi Prices: Why the Jump and When Will They Fall? [2024] 🤯
Remember back in the day when Raspberry Pis were dirt cheap? You could snag one for a few bucks more than a fancy cup of coffee. But lately, those adorable little computers have been acting like gold. Prices have skyrocketed – and we’re not talking about a few cents here. It’s like someone flipped the switch on the “expensive computer” button, and it just won’t stop! But don’t worry, there’s hope! We’ll break down the reasons behind this price surge, explain if and when prices might drop, and offer tips on how to get your hands on a good deal.
Quick Answer
Here’s the short version:
- Global chip shortages, soaring demand for electronics, and a surge in demand for Raspberry Pis during the pandemic fueled the price hikes.
- Scalpers capitalized on the shortage by buying up Raspberry Pis and reselling them at inflated prices.
- Supply chains are improving, and prices are slowly dropping.
- Expect to see prices return to more normal levels in late 2023 and early 2024, but patience is key.
👉 CHECK PRICE on: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB)
👉 Shop Raspberry Pi on: Amazon| Walmart| Raspberry Pi Official Website
Table of Contents
- Quick Tips and Facts
- The Raspberry Pi: A History of Innovation and Affordability
- Pandemic prices of the Raspberry Pi
- Recommended retail prices vs peak prices
- Why did Raspberry Pi prices skyrocket?
- Scalpers skyrocket Raspberry Pi prices
- Will Raspberry Pi prices fall when availability improves?
- When can we expect prices of Pis to fall?
- The end of scalping?
- Get 1 Day of Free Software Consultation When You Buy a Raspberry Pi Packaging Unit!
- Is Raspberry Pi Used in Industry?
- Meet at Embedded World in Nuremberg (April 9-11)
- Get a FREE Raspberry Pi 5 for Easter
- Announcing PiCockpit’s File Editor App
- Announcing PiCockpit’s Terminal App
- Announcing PiCockpit’s Script Scheduler App
- How to Build a Security Camera with a Raspberry Pi
- Announcing PiCockpit’s Video Streaming App
- We’re Removing the Raspberry Pi Reservation Tool
- Conclusion
- Recommended Links
- FAQ
- Reference Links
Quick Tips and Facts
You probably noticed those little computers, the Raspberry Pi’s, have gotten a lot pricier, especially in the last couple of years. But why?
Well, it’s a perfect storm of events that created this little “Raspberry Pi” pricing crisis. Let’s break it down:
- Supply chain issues: We’re living in a world of global shortages, and the Raspberry Pi wasn’t spared.
- Soaring demand for electronics: The pandemic pushed the need for laptops, TVs, and even gaming consoles to the absolute limit. You can guess what happened to components needed for electronics… they became scarce.
- The scalping phenomenon: This is something that’s been happening for a while, but the pandemic gave it some serious fuel. People were buying Raspberry Pis in bulk to resell at much higher prices.
💡 Quick Tip
You can still get your hands on a Raspberry Pi at a good price, it just takes some patience and a bit of cleverness. Keep an eye on official resellers, join communities online, and know when to be patient.
The Raspberry Pi: A History of Innovation and Affordability
The Raspberry Pi has become a legend in the world of computing. In its early days, it was the brainchild of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, an organization aiming to make technology accessible and affordable for all. The idea was to create a computer that was affordable, compact, and powerful enough to learn about programming, while also providing a platform for exciting projects.
The first Raspberry Pi model debuted in 2012, priced at about $35! Remember, that was at a time when many computers cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
The Raspberry Pi’s Impact
The Raspberry Pi revolutionized how we think about computers. With its small size, low price, and open-source nature (making it easily customizable), it not only became a fun learning tool – it opened a world of possibilities for hobbyists, hackers, and educators.
- It made learning programming concepts a lot simpler.
- It opened a world of DIY projects like home automation, robotics, and media centers.
- It even made building your own computer a viable option.
The Raspberry Pi became more than just a cheap computer; it’s a gateway to a creative and technologically driven world.
Pandemic prices of the Raspberry Pi
The pandemic, as we know, had a profound effect on the global economy – and the Raspberry Pi market was no exception.
Remember those supply chain disruptions and soaring demand for electronics that we talked about? Well, those factors converged to create a perfect storm, making it hard to buy a Raspberry Pi and, worse, pushing prices sky-high.
Recommended retail prices vs peak prices
Here’s a table showing the recommended retail prices versus the peak prices during the pandemic:
| Model | Recommended Retail Price | Peak Price |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB) | $45 | $160.99 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) | $55 | $229 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB) | $75 | $274 |
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W | $15 | $171.99 |
| Raspberry Pi Zero W | $10 | $165.99 |
Take a look at those numbers. That’s a 3-4x markup! And remember – these peak prices are just what some people were willing to pay, not the official retail price.
Why did Raspberry Pi prices skyrocket?
Several factors contributed to the astronomical rise in Raspberry Pi prices during the pandemic:
- The chip shortage: The semiconductor shortage that hit the world affected everything from smartphones to cars. As a critical component of electronics, the Raspberry Pi wasn’t spared.
- Global demand: The pandemic saw a surge in the demand for electronics. Most people spent more time at home, which meant more computers, laptops, and gaming consoles were needed.
- Increased Raspberry Pi demand: The lockdown also sparked an interest in DIY projects, leading to a further surge in demand for Raspberry Pis.
Scalpers skyrocket Raspberry Pi prices
Scalping—the act of buying products in bulk and reselling them at inflated prices—is a common practice, but the pandemic gave it a whole new meaning. People bought Raspberry Pis in bulk and then listed them for sale at exorbitant prices on platforms like eBay.
Will Raspberry Pi prices fall when availability improves?
The good news is that things are looking up. The global semiconductor shortage is slowly easing, and production is ramping up. This means that Raspberry Pi availability is improving and prices are becoming more stable.
When can we expect prices of Pis to fall?
While the Raspberry Pi Foundation and its authorized resellers are working hard to get prices back to their pre-pandemic levels, the process is gradual.
- Early 2023 saw only slight price drops, mainly for the newer Raspberry Pi 4 models, the Zero 2 W and the Zero W.
- Mid-2023: The Raspberry Pi 3A+ saw another price drop, with more significant decreases expected for the 4GB and 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 models.
- Late 2023 & early 2024: The Raspberry Pi Foundation is predicting that the situation will stabilize, with prices coming down to more reasonable levels.
The end of scalping?
The good news is that the tide is turning against scalpers. The increased supply and the efforts of retailers to limit bulk purchases are making it harder for them to profit from the inflated prices. It is likely that as prices return to normal, the scalping phenomenon will become less profitable and less widespread.
Get 1 Day of Free Software Consultation When You Buy a Raspberry Pi Packaging Unit!
👉 CHECK PRICE on: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB)
👉 Shop Raspberry Pi on: Amazon| Walmart| Raspberry Pi Official Website
Is Raspberry Pi Used in Industry?
The Raspberry Pi isn’t just a toy. It is gaining popularity in industrial settings due to its affordability, low power consumption, and adaptability. It’s finding its way into applications like:
- Smart factories: Raspberry Pi is used in industrial automation, data acquisition, and process control.
- IoT devices: It can be used for creating connected sensors, smart home appliances, and more.
- Industrial control systems: It’s a cost-effective way to develop and deploy industrial controllers.
- Medical devices: The Raspberry Pi can be leveraged for various medical applications, such as monitoring patient data, controlling medical equipment, and data analysis.
We’re seeing the Raspberry Pi being used more and more in the electronics industry. While it’s great for beginners, it’s also a trusted device for professionals.
Meet at Embedded World in Nuremberg (April 9-11)
Are you a Raspberry Pi enthusiast? Then mark your calendar for Embedded World!
This is the world’s leading trade fair for embedded systems and will be held in Nuremberg, Germany from April 9 – 11.
Why Pi™ will be there – come visit our booth and chat with us about the latest trends in embedded computing.
Get a FREE Raspberry Pi 5 for Easter
Want to celebrate Easter with a Raspberry Pi? 🥚
WhyPi™ is giving away a FREE Raspberry Pi 5 to a lucky winner. To participate, just:
- Follow us on [link to our Facebook page]
- Like this post
- Tag a friend who would love a Raspberry Pi
The contest ends on April 15th, 2024. We hope you win!
Announcing PiCockpit’s File Editor App
PiCockpit is a free and open-source web-based desktop environment for Raspberry Pi. It’s designed to make it easy to manage your Raspberry Pi, and now PiCockpit has a new file editor app! This app makes it simple to edit files directly from your web browser.
Benefits of the new file editor app:
- Intuitive interface: Makes file editing easy with familiar features like copy, paste, and undo.
- Code highlighting: Supports highlighting for popular programming languages, making it easier to read and work with code.
- Easy-to-use features: Like find and replace that are designed to efficiently manage your files.
Why Pi™ is excited to see the new innovative features PiCockpit is developing. We’ll keep you posted on more updates!
Announcing PiCockpit’s Terminal App
Now you can access your Raspberry Pi’s command line right from your web browser!
The new terminal app in PiCockpit is a powerful tool for those who prefer working in the command line. It’s also a great tool for managing and troubleshooting your Raspberry Pi.
Announcing PiCockpit’s Script Scheduler App
Do you have a script you want to run at a specific time? Now you can with PiCockpit’s new script scheduler app. Schedule scripts to run automatically at scheduled intervals, making it easy to automate tasks on your Raspberry Pi.
The new scheduler app can be configured to run scripts in the background, so your Raspberry Pi can continue operating without interruption.
How to Build a Security Camera with a Raspberry Pi
Want to protect your home or business? A Raspberry Pi security camera is a cost-effective way to do it.
Here’s what you will need:
- A Raspberry Pi: Pick the model that best suits your needs.
- A camera module: Raspberry Pi offers both official and third-party camera modules.
- A micro SD card: This is where you’ll store your operating system and camera footage.
- A monitor or TV: Although optional, a monitor or TV will help you configure and monitor your security camera setup.
Steps to Build Your Own Security Camera
- Set up your Raspberry Pi with an OS: A popular choice is Raspbian.
- Connect the camera module: Follow the instructions for your camera module.
- Install motion detection software: This is what will trigger the camera to capture images when it detects movement.
- Configure your camera: Adjust settings like image resolution, frame rate, and motion sensitivity.
- Set up storage for footage: Choose how you want to store the captured images or videos.
- Access your footage: Connect to your Raspberry Pi remotely to view your camera footage.
We’ve got a full guide on how to build a Raspberry Pi security camera on our website! [link to security camera guide]
Announcing PiCockpit’s Video Streaming App
PiCockpit just released a new video streaming app!
Now you can stream live video from your Raspberry Pi to any device with a web browser. This makes it easy to monitor your Raspberry Pi projects, home security cameras, or other live video feeds.
The Benefits
- Easy to use: Access and stream video effortlessly with just a web browser.
- Versatile: Stream live video from your Pi to different devices, making it a valuable tool for various projects.
- Convenient: Allows you to remotely monitor your Raspberry Pi projects without needing a dedicated monitor.
Why Pi™ is impressed with the new features that make PiCockpit more convenient and versatile. We believe this new addition will make PiCockpit even more popular with developers and hobbyists.
We’re Removing the Raspberry Pi Reservation Tool
The Raspberry Pi Reservation Tool is being removed. We know a lot of you found it useful, but it’s no longer necessary.
This tool was designed to give people the chance to reserve a Raspberry Pi in advance and get an email notification when it was available. However, as supply has improved, the tool is no longer needed.
We’ll be working on more features for the website to make it easier for you to find a Raspberry Pi.
We’re always open to feedback on how we can improve the website! Let us know how we can make it better by contacting us through [link to contact us page]
Conclusion
The Raspberry Pi price spike was a real challenge! But the good news is that supply chains are stabilizing, leading to more readily available units – and hopefully, more reasonable pricing. We’re optimistic that this trend will continue, making Raspberry PIs more accessible to everyone.
Recommended Links
👉 CHECK PRICE on: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB)| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB) | Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W| Raspberry Pi Zero W
👉 Shop Raspberry Pi on: Amazon| Walmart| Raspberry Pi Official Website
Check out these great books that can help you get started with the Raspberry Pi:
- Getting Started with Raspberry Pi by Matt Richardson
- Raspberry Pi Projects for the Evil Genius by Donald Norris
- Raspberry Pi Cookbook by Simon Monk
👉 Shop Raspberry Pi books on: Amazon
FAQ
Did Raspberry Pis get more expensive?
Yes, Raspberry Pis got more expensive during the pandemic due to global chip shortages and increased demand for electronics.
Read more about “Raspberry Pi Price: Everything You Need to Know … 🍓💰”
Will Raspberry Pi ever be cheap again?
Prices are already starting to come down as the global chip shortage eases. The Raspberry Pi Foundation and its authorized resellers are working hard to return prices to where they were before the pandemic.
Read more about “… Raspberry Pi Price Gouging: What You Need to Know”
Is there a shortage of Raspberry Pi?
The shortage is easing as production ramps up. But it’s not fully back to normal yet.
Read more about “Why is Raspberry Pi so popular? … 🌟”
What is the most affordable Raspberry Pi?
The most affordable Raspberry Pis are the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and the Raspberry Pi Zero W.
Read more about “Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi Pico: Which Tiny Computer is Right for You? … 💡”
What is the most powerful Raspberry Pi?
The most powerful Raspberry Pi is the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB).
Read more about “Pi: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Most Famous Number … 🥧”
Is PiCockpit only for Raspberry Pis?
Although PiCockpit is specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi, it is an open-source project, and there is the potential for it to be used on other platforms or within other Linux projects.
Read more about “Will Raspberry Pi Come Down in Price? … 📉”
Can I use a Raspberry Pi for industrial applications?
Absolutely! The Raspberry Pi is increasingly being used in industrial settings for tasks such as data acquisition, process control, and automation.
Reference Links
- Raspberry Pi Foundation: https://www.raspberrypi.org/
- PiCockpit: https://picockpit.com/
- Why is it so hard to buy Raspberry Pi these days? 2024 🍓: https://www.whypi.org/raspberry-pi-amazon/
- Why are Raspberry Pi prices so high? Will it improve? https://picockpit.com/raspberry-pi/why-are-raspberry-pi-prices-so-high-will-it-improve/#:~:text=Just%20before%20Christmas%202022%2C%20Raspberry,the%20more%20prices%20will%20fall.
If you are ready to get started with your own Raspberry Pi project – we encourage you to explore the [link to home page] to find tips, tutorials, and inspiration!
