Raspberry Pi, the renowned single-board computer maker, has announced the release of its latest innovation, the Raspberry Pi 500. This powerful, keyboard-integrated computer is designed to make it easy for anyone to get started with Raspberry Pi, offering a seamless and affordable computing experience. The Pi 500 is now available for purchase from authorized Raspberry Pi resellers.

The Raspberry Pi 500 is an upgrade to its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 400, and boasts specifications comparable to the current flagship Raspberry Pi 5 model. This compact device features a 64-bit quad-core Arm processor, 8GB of RAM, 2 micro-HDMI ports supporting up to two 4K displays, 3 traditional USB ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 40-pin expansion header. Additionally, it comes with native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, making it an ideal solution for various computing tasks.

The Pi 500's design is inspired by the Raspberry Pi Foundation's roots in educational use cases. This device is perfect for schools, providing an affordable and highly customizable first computer for students. Its keyboard form factor makes it easy to use, and its Linux-based operating system encourages creative thinking and learning. The Pi 500 comes with a 32GB SD card preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS, a Debian-based Linux distribution, and is priced at $90, a slight increase from the Raspberry Pi 400.

In addition to the U.K. and U.S. keyboard variants available at launch, Raspberry Pi has announced that versions with French, German, Italian, Japanese, Nordic, and Spanish keyboard layouts will be released soon. For those looking for a complete package, a $120 desktop kit is available, which includes the Raspberry Pi 500, a mouse, a 27W USB-C power supply, and a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable.

The Raspberry Pi 500's launch is a significant development in the single-board computer market, offering a unique solution for educational institutions and individuals seeking an affordable, yet powerful computing experience. With its ease of use, customizability, and affordability, the Pi 500 is poised to make a significant impact in the world of education technology.

In related news, Raspberry Pi has also announced the launch of the Raspberry Pi Monitor, a 15.6-inch 1080p monitor priced at $100. While not as groundbreaking as the Pi 500, this new product provides a Raspberry Pi-branded monitor option for enthusiasts and users.

With the release of the Raspberry Pi 500, the company is reaffirming its commitment to making computing accessible and affordable for everyone. As the Pi 500 begins to make its way into schools and homes, it will be interesting to see the innovative projects and applications that emerge from this powerful, compact device.