$120 Raspberry Pi 500 Desktop Kit features A BCM2712 SoC and comes with 15.6-inch Raspberry Pi Monitor
Raspberry Pi Foundation has recently launched the Raspberry Pi 500 Desktop Kit, which includes a Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard and a 15.6-inch Raspberry Pi Monitor. Previously they have launched the Raspberry Pi 400 which was also a keyboard PC. But the new kit 500 500 features a much faster processor and double the memory of its predecessor, making it suitable as a desktop replacement.
Key features of this kit include a Broadcom BCM2712 SoC, 8GB of RAM, a 40-pin GPIO header, and various ports (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, micro HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet). The keyboard is so designed that it can be used with the new 15.6-inch Raspberry Pi Monitor with built-in speakers (although the audio quality is noted to be poor). The keyboard is powered by a single USB-C cable and designed for optimal cooling and performance, even in hot conditions. These features make this kit ideal for those seeking a compact and powerful computer for everyday tasks, coding, and learning.
Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard PC Specifications
- Processor:
- 2.4 GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU
- Cryptography extensions
- 512KB per-core L2 cache, 2MB shared L3 cache
- Memory:
- 8GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM
- Storage:
- 32GB Class A2 microSD card (included)
- MicroSD card slot for operating system and data storage
- Networking:
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11b/g/n/ac) – 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
- Graphics and Display:
- Dual micro HDMI ports (supports up to 4Kp60)
- H.265 video decoding (4Kp60)
- OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics
- I/O Interfaces:
- 2x USB 3.0 ports
- 1x USB 2.0 port
- Horizontal 40-pin GPIO header
- Expansion
- 40-pin GPIO header accessible from the outside
- Misc
- Power Button on the keyboard, three LEDs
- Keyboard:
- Compact 78-, 79-, or 83-key keyboard UK and US keyboard at launch. German, Spanish, French, Italian, Nordic, and Japanese keyboard layouts coming soon
- Power Supply:
- 5V DC via USB-C connector
- Thermal Management:
- Integrated aluminum heatsink for improved thermal performance
- Form Factor:
- Compact all-in-one keyboard design
- Compliance:
- Extensive regional and international certifications
- Dimensions
- 286 x 122 x 23 cm
- Lifetime:
- In production until at least January 2034
The Raspberry Pi 500 is similar to the Raspberry Pi 400 but features a faster BCM2712 SoC, double the memory, and a reconfigured rear panel layout. Unlike the Raspberry Pi 400, which required installing Raspberry Pi OS, the Raspberry Pi 500 boots directly into the setup wizard. The performance is expected to be 3x faster than the previous Raspberry Pi 5 SBC and CM5 module.
Raspberry Pi also announced the Raspberry Pi Monitor as an accessory for the Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard. The Pi Monitor can be powered via a Raspberry Pi USB port, but brightness is limited to 60% and volume to 50%. A separate power supply is needed for full brightness and volume.
Raspberry Pi Monitor Specifications
- Display:
- 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS LCD panel
- Anti-glare coating
- 16.2M color depth
- 250 nits brightness (typical)
- Audio:
- 2x 1.2W front-facing integrated speakers
- Supports 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz audio sample rates
- 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
- Connectivity:
- Full-size HDMI port (HDMI 1.4 compliant)
- USB-C port for power input
- Power Supply:
- 1.5A at 5V via USB-C
- Can be powered directly from a Raspberry Pi USB port:
- 60% maximum brightness
- 50% maximum volume
- 100% brightness and volume when using a separate power supply
- Mounting Options:
- Integrated angle-adjustable stand
- VESA- and screw-mounting options
- Volume and brightness control buttons
- Compliance:
- Meets regional and international standards
- Certificates and documents available upon request
At the time of writing the Raspberry Pi 500 kit is priced at $90. you can also opt for the $120 Raspberry Pi 500 Desktop Kit, which will include a power supply, mouse, HDMI cable, and beginner’s guide. The Raspberry Pi Monitor costs $100 and comes with a USB-C power cable and user manual. These are available from authorized Raspberry Pi resellers.