The new Raspberry Pi 500+ is an all-in-one mini computer that brings a mechanical keyboard with RGB lighting, 16 GB of RAM, and a built-in SSD. Price? Around $200
Raspberry Pi 500+ is the latest member of the keyboard-based computer family. Built on the Raspberry Pi 5 platform, it brings the largest amount of memory in the history of Pi devices, as well as a completely new typing experience with a customizable mechanical keyboard. It is aimed at developers, makers, nostalgics and anyone who wants a compact yet powerful hobby computer.
Raspberry Pi 500+: It's a keyboard that thinks
If the Raspberry Pi 400 awakened nostalgia for computers of the type years ago Commodore 64 and Amiga, the 500+ takes it even further. Outside is the keyboard, inside is the real desktop computing heart. The new model is described as “the most refined Pi ever” — and for good reason.
He's hiding under the hood quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor with a clock speed of 2.4 GHz, supported by 16 GB LPDDR4X RAMThis is the most memory the Raspberry Pi has ever offered. In addition, the device has a built-in 256 GB SSD, which can be replaced or upgraded via M.2 NVMe slots.
Specifications in numbers: Raspberry Pi 500+
- Processor: 4 cores ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR4X-4267
- Disk: 256 GB SSD + support for M.2 NVMe (up to 2280)
- Keyboard: mechanical (Gateron KS-33 Blue low-profile), laser-engraved keys, RGB lighting, replaceable caps
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet
- Connectors: 2 × micro HDMI (up to 4K@60), 2 × USB 3.0, 1 × USB 2.0, GPIO header
- Graphics: Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.1, H.265 decoding (4K@60)
- Power supply: USB-C, 5V DC
Why is it different?
The biggest leap is the keyboard. This time it's not about the classic membranes, but Gateron mechanical switches, which gamers and keyboard purists love. Add in RGB lighting, replaceable keys, and an included keycap puller, and you have something that is both a computer and a playground for typing enthusiasts.
The device is also modder-friendly: the case can be easily opened, the SSD can be replaced or upgraded, and the system can be booted from a microSD card or external USB drive, so the flexibility that makers expect is preserved.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages:
- The fastest Raspberry Pi ever
- Finally SSD as the default solution
- A keyboard that's not only useful, but also customizable
- Dual 4K displays and rich connectivity
Limitations:
- PCIe connection via M.2 slot has only one lane — meaning external expandability is limited
- The processor is powerful for hobby and development projects, but cannot compete with mainstream desktop or laptop computers.
- The $200 basic kit doesn't include a monitor and mouse (there's a more expensive Desktop Kit for that)
Conclusion: Raspberry Pi 500+
The Raspberry Pi 500+ is both a tool and a toy. It's not the cheapest Pi ever, nor the most powerful computer in the broad sense, but it's the best compromise between nostalgia and usability. If you've ever been tempted to think of a keyboard as more than a piece of plastic in front of a screen, then this is the best version of that concept yet.
