New Raspberry Pi "B+" Board Released
The crew behind the credit-card sized computer Raspberry Pi introduced on Monday the Raspberry Pi B+. This device builds upon the two-year-old "B" model, using the same Broadcom BCM2835 application processor, the same 512 MB of memory, and running the same software. However, this "B+" edition provides more features for the same low price of $35 USD.
According to Raspberry Pi Trading CEO Eben Upton, this new release isn't a Raspberry Pi 2, but the "final revolution" of the popular board. "We think you're going to love Model B+, but to ensure continuity of supply for our industrial customers we'll be keeping Model B in production for as long as there's demand for it," Upton wrote.
So what's new? According to Upton, the GPIO header now has 40 pins instead of 26, but retains the same pinout for the first 26 provided on Model B. The team even crammed two more USB 2.0 ports onto the board, which now offers a total of four. The team also mentions better hotplug and overcurrent behavior.
"We've aligned the USB connectors with the board edge, moved composite video onto the 3.5 mm jack, and added four squarely-placed mounting holes," Upton writes.
The new specs show that the friction-fit full SD card socket was exchanged for a "nicer," smaller push-push microSD card reader. Changes were also made to the audio circuit, which now incorporates a dedicated low-noise power supply. The board's power consumption is now lower thanks to replacing linear regulators with switching versions.
Raspberry Pi B+ is available now at many resellers and online at Farnell/element14/Newark and at RS/Allied Components.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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bootsattheboar ReplyHow about a faster SOC, the current one is crap.
Of course it's crap. What do you want for $35? There are other mini-boards out there at all kinds of price points. Try a hummingboard. -
ZolaIII This is bad & stupid! If they instead used BCM23550 it would be wort playing with & compatible software vise (most part). Price would be just a little up or even same. There are Chinese phones with BCM23550 with HD displays with price tag under 100$...Reply -
Jim90 ReplyHow about a faster SOC, the current one is crap.
You're slightly missed the entire reason behind the Pi! -
Damon Palovaara ReplyHow about a faster SOC, the current one is crap.
Of course it's crap. What do you want for $35? There are other mini-boards out there at all kinds of price points. Try a hummingboard.
Can't forget the Banana-pi -
LordConrad ReplyHow about a faster SOC, the current one is crap.
You're slightly missed the entire reason behind the Pi!
No I didn't. It's sold as a cheap development board for projects and learning. What amazes me is how many people have bought one when you can get much more capable boards (like ODROID or HummingBoard) for a slightly higher price. -
nevilence the point is that they are low priced not "slightly higher" so yes, you are still missing the pointReply