The Raspberry Pi 500 has always been a clever throwback: a fully functional Pi computer integrated into a compact keyboard, reminiscent of the home computers of the 1980s. Now, the latest Raspberry Pi 500+ takes things a step further for enthusiasts, featuring a fully mechanical keyboard design that should excite both Raspberry Pi fans and keyboard aficionados alike.
The upgraded 75% keyboard comes with low-profile Gateron clicky blue switches, offering satisfying tactile feedback and audible clicks. It includes removable keycaps and even a keycap puller in the box, making customization easy. For those who like a little flair, the 500+ also has optional RGB backlighting under the keys. The keyboard supports multiple layouts and languages, including the standard US ANSI version for North American users. While hot-swap sockets are not included, those comfortable with a soldering iron can still tinker freely.
Under the hood, the Raspberry Pi 500+ boasts impressive upgrades. It ships with a Raspberry Pi 5 at its core, loaded with 16GB of RAM—the maximum currently supported—and a 256GB NVMe SSD, which can be swapped for any standard M.2 drive. This configuration provides ample power for everything from programming projects to light gaming or productivity tasks, making it a highly capable small-form-factor computer.
The complete kit is priced at $200 USD, which is $80 more than the non-mechanical Pi 500 and roughly four times the base Pi 5 cost. While that may sound steep, the mechanical keyboard alone justifies much of the premium for enthusiasts, especially when paired with the upgraded RAM and storage. Like previous models, the 500+ does not include a battery, so you’ll need an external power supply, along with a monitor and mouse, to get started. The kit is already shipping from official Raspberry Pi partners such as CanaKit and PiShop.us.
