The project Raspberry Pi has officially unveiled the Raspberry Pi 500+, a compact personal computer built into a case with a keyboard that pays homage to the classics of the 80s, but with all the power of today's computing.
This new model It is positioned as the natural evolution of the Raspberry Pi 500, incorporating substantial improvements in memory, storage, and design. For $200, the Raspberry Pi 500+ offers twice the RAM of its predecessor, a pre-installed 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD, and a backlit mechanical keyboard with removable keycaps.
The ultimate all-in-one PC: Raspberry Pi 500+
From its conception, the Raspberry Pi 500+ was intended as a love letter to the home computers of the 80s (like the Commodore 64, the BBC Micro, and the Apple II) that shaped an entire generation. Those devices, integrated into the keyboard itself, were the starting point for the design that is reborn today with a contemporary touch and higher-quality materials.
The team incorporates a high-precision mechanical keyboard, equipped with Gateron KS-33 Blue switches and custom silver-gray stems. Every key counts. with individually addressable RGB backlighting, and an RP2040 controller with QMK firmware allows you to customize the keyboard's behavior, from lighting to key assignments.
Furthermore, the keys are designed to be replaceable: The device includes a keycap puller, making it easy to customize with alternative keycap sets.
Inside, the Raspberry Pi 500+ uses the same Broadcom BCM SoC2712 than the Raspberry Pi 5, with an ARM Cortex-A76 CPU of Quad cores at 2.4 GHz and a VideoCore VII GPU capable of delivering 4Kp60 graphics via two micro-HDMI ports. It also maintains compatibility with the OpenGL ES and Vulkan graphics APIs, and features HEVC/H.265 hardware video decoding.
Uno of the greatest advances compared to the previous model is the Integration of an M.2 NVMe 2280 socket, which allows the use of internal SSD drives. In fact, the device includes a 256GB Raspberry Pi SSD with the operating system pre-installed. Access to the storage compartment is simple thanks to a case design that can be easily opened with the included tool.
The memory 16GB LPDDR4X-4267 RAM delivers exceptional performance, Ideal for both productivity tasks and compilation, scientific simulation, or even running lightweight AI models.
Connectivity and expansion
The Raspberry Pi 500+ retains a full set of ports: two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, a microSD slot, and the classic 40-pin GPIO, maintaining the maker essence of the project. These features make the device a versatile piece of equipment that can function as a personal PC, an educational workstation, or an embedded system for advanced projects.
As for cooling, the equipment incorporates an aluminum heatsink which improves thermal management, ensuring stable operation even under intense loads.
An evolution of the Raspberry Pi 400 and 500
The launch of the Raspberry Pi 400 in 2020 marked a before and after by integrating the plate and the keyboard into a single body for the first time. Your success between fans and students led to the creation of the Raspberry Pi 500, and now, the 500+ takes that concept to the next level.
Hardware improvements, a backlit mechanical keyboard, SSD storage, and 16GB of RAM are the key features that make this model, like the Raspberry Pi, the most powerful and complete to date. Its refined design combines nostalgia and modern technology, offering a worthy experience for both hardware enthusiasts and professionals looking for a compact, functional, and elegant device.
The Raspberry Pi 500+ is more than just a computer. With its retro aesthetic, modern power, and flexible configuration, it reaffirms the original purpose of the Raspberry Pi project: to democratize computing without sacrificing innovation.
Finally, it should be mentioned that for those who want a complete experience, A $220 desk kit is also offered, which includes an official Raspberry Pi mouse, a 27W USB-C power supply, a micro-HDMI cable, and a copy of the Raspberry Pi Beginner's Guide.
Source: https://www.raspberrypi.com