The Raspberry Pi 500+ is a ready-to-go single-board computer and keyboard combo, with a 256GB NVMe drive, mechanical keys, and Raspberry Pi OS preloaded. It's the fastest way to get started with a Raspberry Pi, and it's a highly capable ARM-based desktop computer replacement that runs Linux.
Before you buy one, here are five things you should be aware of.
There's no spare PCI Express slot
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
Perhaps the biggest drawback to the Raspberry Pi 500+ is the lack of a spare PCI Express (PCIe) slot, as is found on the Raspberry Pi 5 Model B. The 500+ already comes with an NVMe drive, which is what many Pi 5 Model B owners end up using this interface for, but there is another good reason to have a spare: the official AI HAT+ .
This add-on board allows you to use the Hailo AI accelerator to perform machine-learning tasks on your Raspberry Pi. Though not everyone has a use for this, and it could be argued that a Pi that sits on your desktop isn't a great fit anyway, it's worth keeping this in mind just in case you assumed that the 500+ is just a Pi 5 Model B in a keyboard.
Technically, the Pi 500+ can interface with PCIe devices if you're happy to take the NVMe drive out and plug in an eGPU docking station. That's exactly what Jeff Geerling did when he decided to plug in an AMD RX 7900 XT. But this isn't really what you'd consider a "normal" use case scenario.
GPIO access is a little tricky
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
Like other Raspberry Pi units, the 500+ has a 40-pin GPIO connector. This is for interfacing with Hardware Attached on Top (HAT) add-ons and other similar units. As you can see in the image above, the slot is covered by a thin piece of plastic until you need it.
Unlike HATs, which are designed to sit on top of the Raspberry Pi's main board, the 500+ has its GPIO connector on the back of the unit next to the Ethernet connector. This means that connecting extra devices like a TV tuner, DAC, or Build HAT for use with LEGO can be a little messy.
It's still perfectly possible; you'll just need to make use of a GPIO extender cable and be content with having the board flapping around at the back of the unit. It makes the 500+ less suited for purpose-built projects, but perfectly acceptable for learning and tinkering.
The keyboard is clicky and loud
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
Outside of an integrated NVMe drive, the big improvement to the 500 (and the 400 that came before it) comes in the form of the typing experience. The Raspberry Pi 500+ comes with a mechanical keyboard that includes clicky and tactile blue Gateron switches and replaceable keycaps.
The typing experience is excellent, as long as you like this kind of switch. While I've used louder keyboards with way more "thwok," there's something to be said for just how clicky the 500+ is while in use. I love it, but your coworkers, housemates, and anyone else in the same room might not.
We're still using micro HDMI in 2025
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
While I was disappointed when I learned that the 500+ had no spare PCIe slot, I felt more let down by the continued use of the micro HDMI output. This is one of the worst connectors ever devised , a non-reversible digital video output that wobbles around just like microUSB.
It's not a deal-breaker, but unless you're upgrading from an older Pi unit, there's a good chance you won't have any of these cables lying around (I didn't, and I definitely have a cable problem ). Plus, the Pi 500+ has two of these outputs for use with a dual-screen setup, so you should add some adapters or micro HDMI to HDMI cables to your order if you go ahead and buy.
It's competitively priced
Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek
I was skeptical about the Pi 500+'s value for money, so I decided to work it out for myself. You can pick up a Pi 500+ unit on its own (that's just the keyboard with the computer inside, plus a pry tool and keycap puller) for $200.
Conversely, a comparable 16GB Pi Model B is $120. To add some fast storage, you'll need the M.2 HAT+ for $15. If you're lucky, you should be able to find 256GB of NVMe storage for around $30. That leaves you with $35 left over to pick up a budget low-profile mechanical keyboard, which is doable. At this point, you've also spent $200. If you want an enclosure, you might be able to build something for free or 3D print your own.
If you go this route, you'll have used up your PCIe slot on the M.2 HAT+, though you've always got the option of switching it out for the AI HAT+ if that's a direction you want to go in. You've also got what is arguably a more flexible machine, that isn't stuck in a big keyboard case, and that you could put to use in a "headless" capacity or attach to the back of your monitor.
Ultimately, it really depends on what you want your Pi for. As an all-in-one, highly capable Linux home computer, the Pi 500+ is priced just right for its specs. As a tool for learning, it's got everything you need to jump in. But its form factor and turnkey nature may hold it back for some of the main reasons you might turn to a Raspberry Pi.
Even if you do go for the Pi 500+, there's nothing stopping you from picking up another unit for the other projects you've got planned. Once you've caught the bug, you might want a super cheap Pi Pico or Zero , or another single-board computer that isn't a Raspberry Pi .
