Raspberry Pi Pi 500+, a $200 desktop computer
Raspberry Pi 500+ Launches
Market news | September 25, 2025
By Brian Tristam Williams
Raspberry Pi has launched the Raspberry Pi Pi 500+, a $200 desktop computer integrated into a mechanical keyboard form factor, marking the company’s most aggressive push into commercial computing markets beyond traditional educational and embedded applications.
The Pi 500+ leverages the same 2.4GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor architecture deployed in the Raspberry Pi 5, but packages it in an all-in-one keyboard design reminiscent of 1980s systems like the Amiga 500. The integration addresses longstanding thermal limitations through an aluminum heatsink while targeting enterprise and professional users willing to pay premium prices for turnkey desktop solutions.
Commercial Specifications
Key differentiators from consumer Pi boards include 16GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM—quadruple the typical Pi configuration—and a pre-installed 256GB NVMe SSD with M.2 2280 expandability. Dual 4K60 micro-HDMI outputs support multi-monitor professional workflows, while maintaining the 40-pin GPIO interface for industrial integration.
Network connectivity spans dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and Gigabit Ethernet. I/O includes two USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 port, plus microSD storage expansion.
The Gateron KS-33 mechanical keyboard features per-key RGB LEDs with API-programmable control through included command-line and Python libraries, enabling custom status indicators and system integration scenarios.
Market Strategy
At $200 ($220 for complete desktop kit), the Pi 500+ represents a 4x price increase over standard Pi boards, positioning it against Intel NUC systems and other commercial small form factor PCs rather than hobbyist single-board computers.
The 15-year production commitment through January 2035 signals Raspberry Pi’s intent to serve commercial customers requiring long-term component availability—a key differentiator in industrial and embedded markets where product lifecycle planning is critical.
Industry Implications
The Pi 500+ reflects broader ARM adoption trends in commercial computing, leveraging proven silicon from the mobile ecosystem for desktop applications. The thermal management improvements address previous Pi limitations in sustained workloads, potentially opening new market segments in digital signage, kiosks, and thin client deployments.
For system integrators, the combination of familiar Pi ecosystem compatibility with desktop-class performance and industrial-grade availability creates opportunities in applications requiring both computing power and hardware customization capabilities.
Raspberry Pi’s move upstream may pressure other ARM board vendors to similarly target commercial markets, potentially accelerating enterprise ARM adoption beyond traditional embedded roles. |
