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The Raspberry Pi Foundation has introduced the Raspberry Pi 500. an updated computer model of the Raspberry Pi 400. This device is a keyboard and a computer in one, delivering better performance and more functions while maintaining the affordability and versatility the brand is known for.
The Raspberry Pi 500 is very similar in form to the Raspberry Pi 400. Nonetheless, it introduces a new all-white theme scheme. The device does not rely on the Compute Module 5 but has a Raspberry Pi 500 PCB. The ports, which include the dual 4K micro HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, a USB C for power, and a Gigabit Ethernet port, are located at the back of the set, which creates a neat and orderly system.
Users will find a micro SD card slot and a 40-pin GPIO interface for connectivity. The board has included an unpopulated M.2 PCIe slot and sections for potential Power over Ethernet (PoE) support. Still, the features were removed due to their high costs and the device’s compact form factor.
The Raspberry Pi 500 uses the same smart thermal management as the Pi 400, including a massive aluminum heatsink under the keyboard. This configuration lets the device offer great passive cooling when performing heavy work. A comparison with the Pi 500 showed that the temperature of the Pi 500 is lower, as seen in the benchmark tests. Stressed to the limit, its SoC rose only to 51°C, which indicates the product's ability not to overheat even with continued usage.
The gadget is wrapped in a plastic case and connected by clips and screws. Although it is possible to gain access to the interior to upgrade or repair it, users must be careful not to cause severe damage to the equipment's casing. On the inside, one can find the keyboard controller based on the RP2040 microcontroller, which includes proof of the Foundation’s design skills.
The Raspberry Pi 500 costs $90 for the module alone and $120 for the Desktop Kit, which includes the power supply with a micro USB-C port, a micro HDMI cable, and a getting started guide. The two packages include a 32GB A2 SDR104 compatible micro SD card for storage.
While it is incompatible with accessories such as the official Touch Display 2 and Raspberry Pi cameras, it is compatible with USB cameras and dual HDMI displays. By offering better thermal performance, cost-value, portability, and modularity than its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 500 is a fitting successor that meets current demand.
