10 Must

Sep 19, 2023

Integrated into a keyboard, the Raspberry Pi 400 is a ultra-low-cost desktop computer. Take it to the next level with these accessories.

The Raspberry Pi 400 is basically the Raspberry Pi 4B redesigned to fit into a keyboard form factor. It has a slightly higher base clock speed and fewer overall ports, however.

If you have a new Raspberry Pi 400 or are planning to get one, there are some accessories that will take your Raspberry Pi experience to the next level. Whether you want to expand its functionality, protect it, or simply optimize its performance, these accessories will enable you to tailor your Raspberry Pi 400 setup to your specific needs.

A sleeve case provides an added layer of protection to your Raspberry Pi, keeping it free from dust and safe from scratches and bumps. If you are concerned about your white Raspberry Pi keyboard staying white, you should consider getting a sleeve case.

There are many designs and options to choose from, but the Vilros Neoprene case is an especially popular case that fits the Raspberry Pi 400 perfectly and has a pocket with enough room to contain most of its accessories. It also has a looped handle that can help.

You should however keep in mind that a sleeve can only take so much punishment, so be sure to keep it in a cool, dry, and safe place.

A cyberdeck was one of our picks for the best projects you can make with a Raspberry Pi 400. Generally speaking, a cyberdeck is a kind of portable, personal computer that features an onboard display and power supply.

Ever since the Raspberry Pi 400 launched in 2020, there have been several cyberdeck mods centering around the keyboard computer. The Cyberdeck HAT from Adafruit is an inexpensive accessory that puts you one step closer to making your own standalone cyberdeck.

You can plug in tiny displays, sensors, LEDs, or HATs, and even an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter and start hacking/coding immediately.

You do need a portable power supply to complete your cyberdeck. Check out the different ways you can power a Raspberry Pi.

The DACBerry 400 is a high-resolution sound card that connects to the Raspberry Pi 400's GPIO header and provides a 3.5mm jack (two on the M version) that allows you to connect your favorite headphones, speakers, amplifiers, etc. It is also capable of recording audio through the onboard jacks using a TRRS microphone.

There are two versions: the 400 M and the 400 S. The 400 M has male pins soldered to the rear, giving pass-through access to the Pi 400's GPIO pins and enabling you to connect other HATs and accessories via a ribbon cable or header adapter.

The Raspberry Pi 400 desktop kit comes with everything you need for a basic computer setup, except a display. The Raspberry Pi 400 comes with two micro-HDMI ports that allow you to power two 4K display at 30Hz. Check out our curated list of excellent 4K monitors you can use with your Raspberry Pi.

In case you were wondering, the official Raspberry Pi 7-inch touch display is not compatible with the Raspberry Pi 400 due to the lack of a DSI port.

If you would rather avoid the clutter of a wired setup, you could connect a display to the Raspberry Pi 400 via the GPIO header. You can follow the example of a Redditor who connected a Pimoroni HyperPixel 4.0 touchscreen to a Raspberry Pi 400 this way. He used a ribbon cable to connect the HyperPixel's extended female header to the GPIO pins and created a 3D enclosure to keep it upright. The great thing about this setup is that all you need to do is add a portable power supply and you have a cyberdeck.

The Raspberry Pi 400's GPIO header is located at the back of the keyboard computer, rather than on top. This means that any HATs connected to the header will face back and down. Therefore, you will need either a 40-pin male-to-female ribbon cable or an adapter to make the pins easier to access and HATs easier to attach.

Our guide on how to connect a HAT to your Raspberry Pi 400 goes into greater detail on the topic. Either method will make tinkering on the Raspberry Pi 400 much easier.

If you buy the Raspberry Pi 400 desktop kit, you get the device itself, the power supply, a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, a microSD card, the official guidebook, as well as a sweet, wired mouse that matches the white and red theme. It all adds up to a very aesthetic setup when laid out on a desk. But, if you prefer a wireless mouse for one reason or another, check our selection of the best wireless mice to add to your Raspberry Pi desktop setup.

Fancy creating a permanent fixture for your Raspberry Pi 400? You can create a docking station that adds more functionality to the Pi 400. For example, the one featured in our top Raspberry Pi 400 projects adds a battery and a real-time clock that keeps the time even when you are offline.

If you would rather work with a premade dock instead, the Vilros PiDock 400 is a good option that comes with a built-in display, touchpad, and a compatible power supply. It is a bit expensive at about $240, but it has gotten good reviews from buyers.

Unlike the Raspberry Pi 4, the Pi 400 lacks a 3.5mm audio jack that allows you to connect speakers and headphones. Although you can set the Raspberry Pi to output audio through HDMI, you may want to listen through a device without an HDMI port. A Bluetooth speaker is the easiest way to get sound from your Raspberry Pi 400 while keeping the HDMI and USB ports free for other purposes. You could even opt to build your own DIY Bluetooth speaker.

The Raspberry Pi 400 lacks a Camera Serial Interface (CSI), which is a connector that allows you to attach official (or third-party) Raspberry Pi Camera Modules. If you are interested in computer vision, video conferencing, or home surveillance using the Raspberry Pi 400, then a USB camera is your only option. By connecting a USB camera, you can capture images, record videos, and use computer vision libraries and software to process the visual data.

You should however note that USB webcams typically offer less control and quality compared to a dedicated Camera Module. Interested in building your own surveillance system? Check out our guide on how to create a CCTV system with a Raspberry Pi.

The Raspberry Pi Sense HAT is an official product from the Raspberry Pi company that features an array of onboard sensors that can be used in different projects. These sensors can measure pressure, temperature, magnetism, orientation, and acceleration—and color and brightness on the Mk II version. It also includes an LED matrix that displays the data from the sensors and a joystick for interactive projects.

The Sense HAT was not designed for use with the Raspberry Pi 400, but you can still connect one by using a ribbon cable or adapter.

The Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard computer aims to offer a complete desktop experience, but there are some essential features missing. With the accessories listed above, you can have a setup that works for you and matches your requirements.

You will need to ensure that these accessories are compatible with the Raspberry Pi 400 and be sure to refer to the official Raspberry Pi website and forum for guidance on installation and configuration.

Tomisin is a staff writer at MUO with a penchant for breaking down complex topics into easily digestible bits. He first started writing reviews of phones and gadgets in 2016 and loves reading spec sheets and tinkering with new technology.Currently, he writes about DIY tech for MakeUseOf and looks forward to expanding his horizons.