I have completed another update on Arduino Step by Step Getting Started and Getting Serious, with sections covering the new Arduino Uno R4. There are two Arduino Uno R4 boards: the Minima and the WiFi. So, I split the update so Arduino Step by Step Getting Started focuses on the Minima and Arduino Step by Step Getting Serious on the WiFi model.
Check below for a discount coupon for Arduino Step by Step Getting Started and Getting Serious.
The Arduino Uno R4 Minima offers a powerful and cost-effective upgrade with a faster processor and more memory, perfect for advanced projects in a compact form factor.
On the other hand, the new Arduino Uno R4 WiFi combines enhanced processing power with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for more complex IoT projects and real-time data communication.
Put together, you can have a modern lower cost board or a slightly more expensive board with wireless connectivity. The really nice thing for anyone like me, who has spent a lot of time learning and building projects on the R3, is that the Arduino Uno R4 maintains backward compatibility with most of the existing Arduino Uno R3 shields and libraries, ensuring that users can easily upgrade to the R4 without needing to change their existing hardware or code. This compatibility is achieved by keeping the same pin layout and form factor as the R3, allowing R3 shields to be physically connected to the R4. Additionally, while the R4 features a new ARM Cortex-M4 processor, which is different from the AVR processor in the R3, Arduino has worked to ensure that most existing libraries and sketches (programs) can still run on the R4 with little to no modification. However, some advanced or low-level code that directly interacts with the R3’s AVR-specific features may require adjustments to work on the R4.
While updating the courses, I spent time checking every single one of the projects and did not find any issues. The hardware and the sketches worked without a glitch (I encountered some issues with libraries that have evolved since the last time I checked them, but I think these issues were unrelated to the R4).
Upgrading to the Arduino Uno R4 from the R3 is not strictly necessary, especially if your current projects are running smoothly on the R3 and do not require more processing power, memory, or connectivity. The R3 is still a very capable board for many applications, and I will continue to use it for many years. It is also a great simple design that you can easily customise.
However, if you need enhanced performance for more demanding projects, such as complex calculations, faster processing, or integrated WiFi and Bluetooth (in the case of the R4 WiFi), then the R4 could offer significant benefits. Additionally, the R4’s improvements might future-proof your projects and allow for more advanced development, especially as some popular libraries are becoming more dependent on faster hardware.
If your current needs are met by the R3, and you don’t require the new features offered by the R4, there’s no immediate need to upgrade. Of course, you can complete both courses using the R3 (except for the two sections that focus on the R4).
You will find the new content in the beginning sections if you are already enrolled in Arduino Step by Step Getting Started and Getting Serious.
If not, now is a great time to enroll and take advantage of the 20% discount (valid until September 20, Sydney time). Use coupon ASBS2024 to claim your discount at the checkout (be careful to click the “add discount” link in the order form to reveal the coupon field!).