View Image / The 8GB Raspberry Pi 5 featuring the official fan and heatsink. (Photo credit: Andrew Cunningham)
Raspberry Pi Availability Returns to Normal
The shortage of Raspberry Pi boards that plagued consumers for several months is now largely a thing of the past. Today, users can easily purchase these devices at their recommended retail prices without any extended waiting periods or restrictions on quantities. A clear indication that the Raspberry Pi Foundation is regaining confidence in its inventory is highlighted by the recent introduction of a new variant—the 2GB model of the Raspberry Pi 5, which officially hit stores today for just $50. This is $10 less than the previous 4GB configuration and significantly more affordable when compared to the premium-priced 8GB edition.
Cost-effective Innovations in Technology
Eben Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi, shared insights regarding this latest development by noting that this budget-friendly version incorporates an updated form of Broadcom’s BCM2712C1 system-on-chip (SoC), which has been optimized for lower production costs. According to Upton, this D0 stepping variant eliminates certain underutilized features—commonly referred to as “dark silicon”—that previously occupied space on the chip die without contributing effectively to board functionality.
No Compromise on Performance
“For users who rely on our products, this chip remains functionally equivalent to earlier versions,” Upton emphasized, pointing out it retains all essential attributes such as a powerful quad-core processor, robust multimedia functionality, and a PCI Express bus—an aspect consistently described as one of the standout elements within the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.” He further noted, “The improvements allow us reduced manufacturing costs resulting in significant savings; both through reducing memory capacity and optimizing structures have enabled us to decrease pricing by $10 altogether.”
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