Raspberry Pi boards have helped hobbyists start computing projects for very little money down, but knowing how much memory you need can be tricky. The answer depends mostly on how you plan to use the board.
The Pi 5 comes in five versions, ranging from 1GB to 16GB of RAM, and unlike a typical desktop PC, the memory cannot be upgraded after purchase. Most new laptops ship with at least 8GB, but a Raspberry Pi runs a much lighter operating system. Raspberry Pi OS, based on Linux, consumes only a few hundred megabytes of RAM, while Windows and macOS are designed to use whatever memory is available.
That does not mean the 1GB model is enough for everything. Desktop-class programs such as a web browser or word processor can fill the board's memory quickly. Three or four media-heavy Firefox tabs can overwhelm a 1GB Pi and force it to swap programs to physical storage, which causes slowdowns. For desktop use, at least 2GB of RAM provides enough headroom for multiple programs or tabs, and the Pi 5's processor is fast enough for light multitasking and basic games. Each step up in memory raises the cost, and the 4GB model sells for $110 against the $45 base price.
The 1GB model remains practical for headless projects that need no connected display, such as media servers, network-attached storage, smart home hubs, or security systems with the official camera add-on. These tasks run quietly within the limited memory. Higher-memory models offer little advantage for them, since the processor is not powerful enough to replace a full computer for intensive work.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing