Raspberry Pi 500+ Combines Mini PC Power with a Mechanical Keyboard

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has unveiled the Raspberry Pi 500+, a refined update to its Pi 500 all-in-one computer that packs desktop-grade hardware inside a premium mechanical keyboard. Billed as the company’s most polished product to date, the Pi 500+ is designed to blur the line between compact computing and enthusiast-grade peripherals.

At the heart of the device is a mechanical keyboard that emphasizes both performance and customization. Each key uses Gateron KS-33 Blue low-profile switches with RAL 7001 Silver Grey stems, offering long travel and rapid actuation. The board ships with low-profile keycaps that have been spray-painted and laser-etched, while individual addressable RGB LEDs illuminate the keys. Users can cycle through preset lighting patterns or program their own designs, giving the Pi 500+ an aesthetic edge over traditional desktop kits. Raspberry Pi has even included a key puller, ensuring users can easily replace the stock caps with aftermarket options.

Under the hood, the Pi 500+ is powered by a quad-core 2.4 GHz 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 processor with cryptography extensions, 512KB of L2 cache per core, and 2MB of shared L3 cache. It pairs the CPU with 16GB of LPDDR4X-4267 RAM and a 256GB Raspberry Pi solid-state drive, expandable via storage swaps or through the integrated M.2 NVMe slot supporting drives up to the 2280 form factor.

Connectivity is another strong point. The Pi 500+ supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 2.0 port. Display options include dual micro HDMI outputs capable of 4K at 60Hz. Additional expansion comes via SD and microSD slots, alongside a horizontal 40-pin GPIO header for hardware tinkering. Power is supplied through USB-C at 5V DC, keeping the system in line with modern standards.

In terms of longevity, Raspberry Pi has committed to producing the 500+ until at least January 2035. That long production window is intended to guarantee availability of spare parts and ensure that developers, educators, and hobbyists alike can rely on the platform for the next decade.

The Raspberry Pi 500+ is priced at $200 and is available through a range of authorized resellers. As with past Raspberry Pi releases, initial stock may be limited, but the company expects broader availability in the months ahead.