Raspberry Pi is easily the most versatile and compact single-board computer (SBC)on the market, which has helped educators and hobbyists create impactful projects. We have seen RPi (as it is lovingly called) based chatbots, ultra-slim handheld consoles, and an entire Desktop PC. Talking of the latter, Raspberry Pi has also found its way into a keyboard, turning the peripheral into an effective, all-in-one computer.
This tale of a Raspberry Pi computer built into a keyboard started with the launch of the Raspberry Pi 400. Released in 2020 by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, it was the first official RPi keyboard PC. Last year, in 2024, it was followed by the RPi 500, which is now dethroned by the 2025 release of the Raspberry Pi 500+ offering SBC inside a mechanical keyboard.
Designer: Raspberry Pi Foundation
Raspberry Pi 500+ is an extension of the power and abilities of the Raspberry Pi 500. This one, like the predecessor, fits a Raspberry Pi 5’s quad-core 64-bit ARM processor into a tactile mechanical keyboard, now with removable keycaps and RGB backlighting. This is an unrelenting combination of convenience and performance, which those who have used the RPi 400 would love to upgrade. Of course, there are some significant upgrades from the 500, but if you own one, it’s probably not a drastic difference to entice you to upgrade.
That said, the Raspberry Pi 500+ uses the same CPU as before – a 2.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A76 CPU – which will handle most of the computing tasks thanks to its pairing with 16GB of LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM and 256GB SSD in the new model. The keyboard is equipped with Gateron KS-33 Blue low-profile switches that are comfortable for typing, and should you like to customize the look and feel, allow keycaps to be swapped with those of your choice.
The Raspberry Pi computer inside a mechanical RGB backlit keyboard alongside swappable keys offers an M.2 slot for allowing the user to swap the SSD in order to increase internal storage. The storage can also be enhanced with a microSD card slot. Besides the CPU from its predecessor, the new Raspberry Pi 500+ also retains the I/O options. It has a Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB 2.0 port. For connecting a monitor, you have a pair of micro-HDMI ports that support dual 4K models with 60Hz display output.
Since this is not your ordinary Bluetooth keyboard, the Raspberry Pi 500+ comes for an asking price of $200. Currently, it is available and also provides users with an optional Desktop Kit. Raspberry Pi 500+ Desktop Kit includes a mouse, a two-meter micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, a 27W USB-C power supply, and a RPi Beginner’s Guide.
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