The Raspberry Pi 5, launched in October 2023, garnered attention for being fast and capable enough to serve as a general-purpose desktop PC, albeit not an exceptionally powerful one.
For enthusiasts of Pi-as-desktop setups, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has revealed two new pre-holiday additions to its lineup, with the most notable being the Raspberry Pi 500.
This $90 device integrates the components of an 8GB Pi 5 into a compact, keyboard-shaped case, offering a more streamlined desktop experience.
The Pi 500 builds on the concept of the earlier Raspberry Pi 400. Like its predecessor, it reconfigures the Pi 5’s components onto a new PCB, aligning all ports in a single row at the back for better accessibility.
The port selection includes one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports, a microSD slot, two micro HDMI ports, the 40-pin GPIO header, and a gigabit Ethernet port.
In addition to the standalone version, priced at $90, the Pi 500 is also available as part of a $120 Desktop Kit. This kit includes a mouse, power supply, HDMI cable, and a printed Beginner’s Guide, making it a convenient all-in-one package for new users.
From the front, the Pi 500 resembles a slightly bulky desktop keyboard. However, its redesigned PCB ensures all ports are neatly arranged in a single row across the back.
While this design improves organization, it introduces a significant limitation: there is no easy way to add an M.2 slot for faster storage.
Current M.2 HATs designed for the standard Pi 5 cannot be connected to the Pi 500.
According to a teardown by Pi enthusiast and YouTuber Jeff Geerling, the Pi 500’s board includes a space seemingly designated for an M.2 slot and NVMe SSDs.
However, this slot is not populated, and soldering one in place won’t enable M.2 support. A future version of the Pi 500 may address this limitation, but for now, users are restricted to microSD storage or external drives connected via USB.
The second addition to the Raspberry Pi lineup is the official Raspberry Pi Monitor. Priced at $100, this 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display features built-in speakers and a white-and-red color scheme that complements both the Pi 500 and the official Pi 5 enclosure.
The monitor includes a foldable kickstand for portability, as well as VESA mounting holes for those seeking a more permanent setup.
While the monitor is powered via USB-C, it requires a separate HDMI input for video, as it doesn’t support combined power and video over a single cable—a feature not currently supported by the Pi.
If the monitor is powered through one of the Pi’s USB ports, brightness is limited to 60% and speaker volume to 50%. To unlock full brightness and volume, a dedicated USB-C power supply is necessary.
Meanwhile, the older Raspberry Pi 400 isn’t being phased out. Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton announced a price drop for the device, reducing its cost from $70 to $60.
The accompanying kit, which includes a mouse, power supply, HDMI cable, SD card, and printed manual, is also seeing a price cut from $100 to $80.
For users seeking more power, RAM, and versatility, the Pi 500 justifies its higher price. However, the Pi 400 remains a compelling ultra-budget option for simpler projects that don’t require the enhanced capabilities of the Pi 5.
