New Raspberry Pi 400 computer could be a nice Chromebook substitute for remote learning during COVID-19
I normally don’t write about non-Chromebook devices here. I’m making a rare exception today because the just announced Raspberry Pi 400 computer starts at just $70 and because Chromebook inventory is so low. I’ve read reports about school districts and parents that can’t find a Chromebook for their kid’s remote school learning during the COVID-19 situation.
Frankly, the Raspberry Pi 400 could suffice as a low-cost substitute.
First, a quick description of what the Raspberry Pi 400 is.
Essentially, it’s an all-in-one computer that runs on a slightly upgraded Raspberry Pi 4 tucked inside the thin keyboard. You simply connect it to a compatible monitor, add a mouse, power it up and you’ve got a basic computer.
You can also get a $100 bundle that adds a matching mouse, power supply, cables, pre-installed software on a microSD card, and a Beginners Guide book. The $70 model is really for folks who already have the cables and power supply to run a Pi; presumably, someone who owns a Pi.
Even for $100 with everything you need, minus the monitor, this is far less expensive than any recent Chromebook that you could find in stock right now. And it will be supported and produced through January 2026, so your $100 will be a good investment over time.
So how would you use it similarly to a Chromebook for school?
It’s actually not that complicated, even though the Raspberry Pi 400 isn’t running Google’s Chrome OS. Instead, it runs a custom distribution of Linux. That adds some complexity but most of it can be ignored. For online learning with a Chromebook-like experience, you just need a browser. And while the software on the Pi 400 comes pre-installed with the Mozilla Firefox browser. That will get students to their online classroom documentation whether it’s hosted on services by Google, Microsoft or any other company.
However, you can also download and install the Chromium browser, which is the open-source version that Google adds on to for Chrome and Chrome OS. You miss out on a few features, but you gain a big one: Synchronization of Chrome bookmarks, stored passwords, web apps, and other items that make switching between Chromebooks super easy.
I haven’t connected to my Raspberry Pi 4 in a while because it’s running as a HomeAssistant smart home server. So I’m not sure you can install Chromium through a native app store on the Pi 400. I suspect not.
It’s relatively easy to manually download and install Chromium though. You open up the Terminal application on the Pi and then type these two commands, pressing enter after each one to let it do its thing.
sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install chromium --yes
Once these commands have completed, you should have the Chromium browser on the Raspberry Pi, where you can sign in to Google upon first launch. And as long as you basically ignore all of the other apps, you’ll get a Chrome OS-like experience. Note that the Raspberry Pi 400 doesn’t have a webcam, so for video classes, you’ll need to add one. The Pi 400 has a few USB ports on the back so you can connect cameras or other peripherals.
Would I rather have a Chromebook for learning at home? Sure, I would. In fact, I use one for my college classes now.
But I already had that Chromebook. For students who are borrowing a parent’s computer or simply don’t have a computing device available to them, I’d say the Raspberry Pi 400 would be $100 well spent. No, you won’t get the simplicity and security that a Chromebook offers but you will get a low-cost capable computing experience.
Very Interesting
I love the form factor! Now if it just had at least one fullsize HDMI port and a standard headphone jack it would be great!
What about changing the OS to Neverware’s Cloud Ready and turning it into a Chromebox? Unless there’s some obstacle not mentioned yet, this would be the closest you can get to a Chromebook experience.
I think because of the ARM processor that’s not possible, shame, good idea.
The RPi400 is basically a Chromebox with a keyboard. You will need at least a monitor to use it. Also, unless it is better than the RPi4+, Bluetooth support for headphones or other audio devices is broken on the 4+.
I purchased a Raspberry Pi 400 for my daughter’s home schooling. Her school uses the Clever service for Imagine Learning and Dreambox apps.
After a day or two of installing webGL fixes and digging through SO, I’ve given up. Not sure if it’s EME restrictions, or if Google just wants you to buy their Chromebooks and force the apps to optimize for ChromeOS and crippling ChromiumOS intentionally.
Also to note – bluetooth and wifi worked out of the box.
With my troubleshooting, she can now do all of the learning parts (90% of her schoolwork), but the games won’t play. I would like the teacher to wave the games if she simply completes more learning exercises, but that’s not how the grades are calculated. If I have to switch computers for her to complete her work, she may as well use the 2nd one that works. This is nothing more than an inconvenience, but I wanted to make sure people reading this don’t think ChromiumOS is optimized like ChromeOS for proprietary education software.
tl;dr – don’t get the pi400 assuming you’re going to just install and configure and be done with it.
Yeah Chromium OS, (never believe anyone who declares x is easy or x = x, things are never that easy / simple). Neverwares (cloudready) involvement may change this, but that will take a long time (there installer has just been added to Chromium OS)
Unless your kids likes hacking just don’t get a pi or similar stick to Chromebooks, cheap, simple, reliable, not perfect but it’s something that will just work.
Totally valid points, Stu. I suggested this as a possible alternative, not a 100% equal replacement. For some folks, it will work just fine, while others have different requirements or needed apps. In the latter case, there will be some manual effort involved or there will simply be some feature deficiencies.
Raspberry Pi with Desktop Operating System has Chromium Web Browser included by default.
Neverware have not released a version of ChromiumOS suitable for Raspberry Pi ARM CPU Hardware.
Ah, I haven’t looked at Raspian in a while, MW. Didn’t know Chromium is there now. Thanks!
My first reaction to seeing the photo was, “is that a new Commodore 64?” More colorful, more ports, more power probably, but wow that brought the memories back.
Same here – still have my original C-64 and it looks so fat compared this thing! 🙂
Has no one else noticed that it an EN-GB keyboard layout? Looks awesome, but I’d only buy an EN-AU.
Being a British company, their publicity shots show the GB keyboard. From their web page; “As well as our UK and US English keyboard variants, Raspberry Pi 400 is available in Spanish, French, German, and Italian variants, with more to come.”
Well … Unlike a laptop, there is the need for a monitor, camera and microphone.
I do like the idea of the computer inside a keyboard.
This could be better when Covid 19 is over and Zoom is not a requirement.
A great informative article about Raspberry Pi 400. It will be a great alternative to Chromebook for education.
Ah, thanks, good to know they’ve planned ahead for that. Looks fantastic.
Pi4 is always a gimmick over-advertized what its reality is far below expectations. Those paid advertisers tried their best to present gimmick videos, articles, and promotions but after you bought them, you will be regretting them like many others. Yes, some will say it is only $100 but time is, and trusting some craps are far more expensive. Is $100 not money too and they fall from the sky? $100 donated to the poor will get a big thank you at least but Pi 4 will just ignore your complaints.
To be fair, Pi 4 only good for 720p video, browsing less than 5 tabs, Online video 720p and some other low demanding apps running only one at a time. If you want to do more than any of these, you will be facing sluggish or hangs. Pi 4 is made for diy toys for hobbyists/enthusiasts and old people who rarely computing. For normal people, Pi 4 is just lacking features, functionality and speed for daily simple jobs.
There will be a lot of fake advertisers disguising trying to help but all will end up wasting your time. Many and I had wasted our time on this fake Pi advertisements.
turned a raspberry pi4B(55$) into a computer
the pi itself is cheaper but when you add box(5$), fan(5$), keyboard(10$) mouse(5$) power(10$) cables(10$) … (not even dding a screen here…)
turned out that buying a chromebook is as cheap more convenient and MORE ROBUST…
for electronic tweaking though the pie is good