The assumption implied here is that the Raspberry Pi should deliver continuous peak performance equal to its burst performance.
If the RPi4 specs indicated a peak performance of 10% of burst performance, adding a fan would be a material alteration of the published thermal envelope of the purchased RPi4.
Was this performance characteristic clearly indicated at time of sale?
If so, then the article title, and the assumption above, is wrong: RPi4 does not need a fan, as long as it adheres to the published burst and continuous specs. Clearly there’s room in the thermal envelope for improved continuous performance with a fan, but that in no way is a “need” if they are transparent about this spec.
If not, then they are in good company with Apple and other compact hardware manufacturers in failing to publish their thermal envelope burst/continuous details in clear specifics. If they comply enough to say “min speed / burst speed” then they comply with what modern users generally expect in marketing documentation.
Does the RPi community wish further detail to be included at time of sale regarding thermal envelope behavior and timings at room temperature using the passive cooling case provided? If so, that’s a fair request to make of RPi and one they can easily comply with.
If the RPi4 specs indicated a peak performance of 10% of burst performance, adding a fan would be a material alteration of the published thermal envelope of the purchased RPi4.
Was this performance characteristic clearly indicated at time of sale?
If so, then the article title, and the assumption above, is wrong: RPi4 does not need a fan, as long as it adheres to the published burst and continuous specs. Clearly there’s room in the thermal envelope for improved continuous performance with a fan, but that in no way is a “need” if they are transparent about this spec.
If not, then they are in good company with Apple and other compact hardware manufacturers in failing to publish their thermal envelope burst/continuous details in clear specifics. If they comply enough to say “min speed / burst speed” then they comply with what modern users generally expect in marketing documentation.
Does the RPi community wish further detail to be included at time of sale regarding thermal envelope behavior and timings at room temperature using the passive cooling case provided? If so, that’s a fair request to make of RPi and one they can easily comply with.