The Raspberry Pi Foundation has expanded its popular single-board computer lineup with a more budget-friendly option. The new 2GB variant of the Raspberry Pi 5 aims to make cutting-edge computing power even more accessible.
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| A close-up of the Raspberry Pi 5 circuit board highlights its advanced design and components |
Cost-optimized design brings price down
The latest addition to the Raspberry Pi 5 family comes in at just $50, a $10 reduction from the previous entry-level 4GB model. This price cut was achieved through two key changes:
- Reducing the RAM from 4GB to 2GB
- Utilizing a new cost-optimized BCM2712D0 processor
The BCM2712D0 is a refined version of the original 16nm Broadcom chip, with unused dark silicon removed to reduce manufacturing costs. For users, the new board remains functionally identical to its higher-memory siblings, aside from the RAM difference.
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| The Raspberry Pi 5, connected to a breadboard, exemplifies the hands-on applications of the new 2GB model |
Capabilities and performance
Despite the memory reduction, early tests show the 2GB model remains capable for many tasks:
- Web browsing with multiple tabs open
- Basic emulation (including some GameCube titles)
- General computing and programming tasks
While not ideal for memory-intensive applications, the 2GB variant opens up new possibilities for budget-conscious makers, educators, and small businesses looking to deploy multiple Raspberry Pi units.
Expanding the ecosystem
This release follows recent additions to the Raspberry Pi 5 ecosystem:
- A $12 M.2 add-on board for storage expansion
- A $70 AI accelerator kit capable of 13 TOPS (tera-operations per second)
The Raspberry Pi Foundation continues to focus on accessibility and versatility, staying true to its mission of bringing affordable computing to a wider audience.
Availability
The 2GB Raspberry Pi 5 is expected to be available soon through approved resellers at the $50 price point. This new model complements the existing 4GB ($60) and 8GB ($80) variants, offering more choice for consumers based on their specific needs and budget constraints.
For makers, educators, and tech enthusiasts, this latest offering presents an exciting opportunity to explore the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 5 platform at a more accessible price point than ever before.