cybercylon

I will dissuade and say the 4. The extra "oomph" can make it comfortably faster in Raspbian, which is likely where you'll be spending a fair amount of time.

They cost about the same, but the older ones are easier to find. 

The conclusion I came to was the 3B+ has more stuff while I guess the 4 is more future proof. What I have in mind doesn't need a jet engine. Wonder if I can get 3d cases printed on campus, slap a fugi logo on.... no, I would never do that.