SFF.Network Raspberry Pi Introduces the Raspberry Pi 500+ for US$200

With the recent sale of Commodore to a group of enthusiasts – and the subsequent Commodore 64 Ultimate launch – the PC-in-a-Keyboard has returned to the fore of some enthusiasts’ thoughts. It’s the ideal form factor really – allowing you to have a completely clear desk, a thin screen, and as few wires as possible. Alas, the performance of such machines has understandably lagged behind since we moved on from Zilog Z80s and their ilk.
Everyone’s favourite (citation needed) Ultra-SFF SBC manufacturer, Raspberry Pi, seems to have been working on a successor to their Raspberry Pi 400 (launched in 2020 with 4 GB of RAM and an… ugh… membrane keyboard) and 500 (launched last year) models and have now launched the Raspberry Pi 500+, at a reported launch price of US$200. Including the keyboard (obviously), processor, 256 GB M.2 SSD and memory (again obviously, being that the Raspberry Pi ecosystem revolves around embedded systems), and taking to account the ongoing price inflation with each...

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[Phuncz]

I like the concept of a SBC in a keyboard, that's why I insta bought an Raspberry Pi 400. I like this with mechanical switches, lighting and M.2, but the price is too high for the package in my opinion. The lack of support for PoE and an included battery would have made this a very compelling sys/net admin tool.

 

[TheJiral]

I love that concept but I really have no use for it myself. The price actually does make sense when you are comparing it to the Pi500 which is still around 100 EUR, as you get a small M.2 SSD a mechanical keyboard and also the 16GB RAM. But on the other side you do get of course already fairly usable (and considerably more powerful) Mini-PC options at the 200 EUR price point. I doubt however with a mechanical keyboard included.

I do think however, that there is a niche for that. People interested in a keyboard Pi but also in a keyboard that is actually decent to write on. 200 EUR might feel like a luxury for what is on offer but at that pricepoint I'd consider that still fairly affordable luxury.

The coolest feature few appear to be talking about: It is in fact a fully passive machine and one running decently cool as well it seems. But then, maybe that is just something I would care about

PS: I did buy a Pi400 back then but only because it was during the time where it was next to impossible to find Pis in stock anywhere and Pi400 were one of the few options available at all and then at the least crazy price as well (70 EUR). I immediately took it apart and it is powering my Voron2 printer, without keyboard but with its big heatsink metal plate.