Raspberry Pi recently shocked many by announcing a new 3 GB model of the Raspberry Pi 4, along with price hikes for other models. This isn’t just a quirky April Fools’ prank; it’s part of a real problem in the tech supply chain. The shortage of LPDDR4 and LPDDR5 RAM has pushed manufacturers to make tough choices. The new RPi 4 model includes two 1.5 GB LPDDR4 chips, a cheaper alternative.
Prices are going up across the board. The Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 models with 4 GB or more RAM are seeing increases between $25 to $150. If you’re eyeing the new Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB of RAM, prepare to shell out $300.
This news has left many enthusiasts feeling down. Tech experts like Jeff Geerling have voiced concerns about the rising costs, arguing that single-board computers (SBCs) like the Raspberry Pi are becoming too pricey for hobbyists. He’s even shifting his focus towards microcontrollers, which are often more affordable and less affected by the RAM crisis.
The ongoing shortage is expected to last, with reports suggesting that more price increases could happen this year. According to a recent study by DRAMeXchange, prices for various memory chips might continue to rise due to high demand and limited supply.
If you’re worried about costs, consider using older models like the Raspberry Pi Zero, 2, or 3, which typically use LPDDR2 RAM and remain more accessible. Alternatively, microcontrollers like the ESP32 can be a great option for projects that don’t require heavy processing.
