The Raspberry Pi Foundation has unveiled the Raspberry Pi 500, an upgraded iteration of its popular all-in-one computer-in-a-keyboard design. Powered by the Raspberry Pi 5 microcomputer, the Raspberry Pi 500 delivers significant performance improvements and added functionality, making it an attractive choice for hobbyists, educators, and tech enthusiasts alike.
What is Raspberry Pi?
A Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, single-board computer that’s about the size of a credit card:
- PurposeThe Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK charity, created the Raspberry Pi to make computing education more accessible and to teach basic computer science.
- FeaturesThe Raspberry Pi plugs into a computer monitor or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It can be used to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python.
- UsesThe Raspberry Pi can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Robot brains
- Smart home hub
- Media center
- Networked AI core
- Factory controller
What’s New with the Raspberry Pi 500?
Priced at $90, the Raspberry Pi 500 costs $20 more than its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 400, but brings a host of upgrades, including:
- Processor: A 2.4GHz 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU.
- Memory: 8GB of RAM, doubling the memory capacity of the Raspberry Pi 400.
- Graphics: An 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU for improved visual performance.
A Complete Desktop Solution
For those looking to build a complete desktop setup, the Raspberry Pi Foundation offers a $120 Desktop Kit, which includes:
- The Raspberry Pi 500 computer keyboard.
- A matching mouse.
- A 27W USB-C power supply.
- A micro HDMI cable.
- A printed Raspberry Pi Beginner’s Guide book.
Introducing the Raspberry Pi Monitor
Accompanying the Raspberry Pi 500 is the new Raspberry Pi Monitor, priced at $100. This 15.6-inch full HD IPS panel comes with built-in 1.2W speakers and a foldable stand, making it a versatile addition to the Raspberry Pi lineup. The monitor can be powered directly by a Raspberry Pi computer, but for full brightness and volume, a separate power supply is recommended.
Connectivity and Features
The Raspberry Pi 500 offers comprehensive connectivity options, including:
- A 40-pin GPIO connector for peripherals.
- Support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.
- Two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port.
- A gigabit Ethernet port.
- Dual micro HDMI ports, capable of driving two 4K displays at 60Hz.
- A USB-C port dedicated to power.
- A microSD card slot, preloaded with a 32GB card running a Debian-based OS.
A New Price for the Raspberry Pi 400
The Raspberry Pi 500 doesn’t replace the Raspberry Pi 400. Instead, the latter sees a price drop, making it even more accessible:
- Raspberry Pi 400: Reduced from $70 to $60.
- Raspberry Pi 400 Personal Computer Kit: Now $80, down from $100.
Who Is This For?
The Raspberry Pi 500 caters to a wide range of users — from educators needing affordable computing solutions for classrooms, to makers and tinkerers seeking a compact and powerful computer for projects. Paired with the new Raspberry Pi Monitor, the setup offers an all-in-one desktop solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional PCs.
With its improved hardware, competitive pricing, and versatile features, the Raspberry Pi 500 marks another leap forward in accessible computing. Whether you’re diving into programming, building a project, or simply browsing the web, this compact powerhouse has you covered.
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