Hands-On with the Raspberry Pi 500+: A Keyboard-Integrated Pi and Who It Is For
イチケン / ICHIKEN
Ichiken's channel has reviewed card-sized Raspberry Pi boards like the Pi 4 and Pi 5 before, and the host regularly uses them for jobs a microcontroller can't handle. This video looks at the Raspberry Pi 500+, a different kind of Pi. The computer is built into a keyboard, so it works once you connect power and a display. The host sets it up and uses it, compares it with the Pi 5 on features and cost, examines the keyboard, and takes it apart. The main question is where the 500+ makes sense compared with a standard Pi 5.
What the Raspberry Pi 500+ Is
The unit was bought from DigiKey, the video's sponsor. The host says the product was released on September 25, 2025, and cost about 35,000 yen including tax from DigiKey at the time of recording. They expect domestic Japanese vendors to charge roughly the same.
Inside, the host describes it as basically the 16GB version of the Raspberry Pi 5 with better storage. It ships with a 256GB SSD already installed. Raspberry Pis have usually booted from microSD, so the host expects the SSD to improve startup time and everyday usability noticeably.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has made keyboard-shaped Pis before. The Pi 4 generation had the Raspberry Pi 400, and the Pi 5 generation got the Raspberry Pi 500. The host sees the 500+ as a successor or updated version of the 500.
The Technical Conformity Mark Issue in Japan
The host says the 500+ is already sold overseas, but its Japanese release date has not been set because of Japan's technical regulations. The unit from DigiKey had an FCC mark but no Japanese technical conformity mark (giteki). To use it legally for this video, the host had to apply under Japan's special exception system for experiments with equipment that lacks technical approval.
The host compares this with the Raspberry Pi 5 they bought from DigiKey earlier. That unit, purchased about six months after launch, already carried the conformity mark. They think the 500+ may get the mark eventually but say the exact timing is unclear.
Interfaces: What Changed from the Pi 5
According to the host, the rear ports are mostly the same as the Pi 5's, with some reductions. The 500+ has:
- one fewer USB-A port than the Pi 5
- a microSD card slot
- USB-C for power
- two micro HDMI outputs
- GPIO pins
- one RJ45 Ethernet port
Some Pi 5 connectors are gone. These include the PCIe connector, the flat-cable connectors, and another connector the host points out. The PCIe lane now drives the internal NVMe SSD, so it is not available for external use. The host concludes that the 500+ has slightly fewer ways to connect to outside hardware.
Pi 5 vs. 500+: Different Design Goals
The host starts the comparison by pointing out how small a normal Pi 5 is. They remember how exciting a computer that size was when the first Raspberry Pi came out. They add that mini PCs have since made small computers more familiar, and that the Pi 5 is much improved over early models.
In the host's view, the Pi 5 is a minimal starting point. Keyboard and other peripherals are added later, and storage is microSD. RAM comes in five options: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. Buyers can choose memory to fit the job. The host gives the example of building a Pi 5 into a device: pick the smallest RAM and microSD capacity the device needs and build it at minimum cost. The host's summary is that the Pi 5 is designed both for learning and for embedding in equipment.
The 500+ gives up that flexibility. Because the keyboard is built in, the small size that makes the Pi 5 easy to embed is gone. RAM and SSD capacities are fixed, so you can't reduce the cost of the Pi part by choosing smaller specs. The host concludes that the 500+ is a purpose-built machine suited mainly to learning. Anything beyond that can be done with a regular Pi 5.
Cost Comparison at Matching Specs
The host then compares the two with matching specs. The Pi 5 with 16GB RAM costs $145. Using an SSD like the 500+ requires an expansion card, which the host says costs only $12, plus the SSD itself. They also found an expansion board bundled with an SSD for $55. By their calculation, a Pi 5 with SSD storage comes to nearly $200.
The 500+ costs $200 with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. Since the keyboard and fast storage are included, the host suggests the 500+ may be a surprisingly cost-effective choice. They add a caveat: if you don't need 16GB of RAM, a 4GB or 8GB Pi 5 would cost less.
Booting and Everyday Use
Plugging USB-C power into the back lights up the power indicator and starts the machine. The bootloader comes up quickly and the keyboard backlight turns on. The host says startup is faster than a microSD boot and usually finishes in under 30 seconds. The microSD slot still works as usual, but because the OS is already on the internal SSD, the machine is usable out of the box.
The display in the video is an official Raspberry Pi monitor. The host describes it as a common 15.6-inch LCD, similar to a portable monitor, priced at $100 (about 15,000 yen). They say any monitor works and suggest looking for a cheaper one if needed.
On performance, the host says it matches a Pi 5, which makes it an ordinary single-board computer. They felt the Pi 4 was somewhat marginal, but since the Pi 5 the CPU and GPU are strong enough for normal web browsing, and it works fine as a computer.
On heat, the host notes that the Pi 5's SoC runs hot enough to need a heat sink and cooling fan. The 500+ didn't get very hot in their use, and because it has a solid internal cooling mechanism, they don't think heat is a major concern. They show this later in the teardown.
The Keyboard: The Part the Host Cared About Most
The host says the keyboard is the feature they were most interested in. Their unit has a US layout. Other layouts, including Japanese, exist, but were out of stock. The host guesses that other-language versions are made in smaller quantities, so the choice is limited. DigiKey's page listed the Japanese version's lead time as February 2, 2026.
It is a mechanical keyboard, and the backlight can be customized. The host demonstrates the typing sound up close and says the feel and sound are quite distinctive. They find the clicking somewhat pleasant, like operating a gadget. Their overall opinion is that it's too loud. They would prefer something quieter and think it could cause noise complaints in a workplace. The key switches cannot be replaced, but the keycaps can be swapped for customization.
Teardown: Heat Sink, SSD Mounting, and Board Layout
The host notes that Raspberry Pi officially supports opening the case. A disassembly guide is on the official wiki, written with tasks like storage replacement in mind, and an opening tool comes in the box. After removing screws, the host uses the tool to open the case. The keyboard connects to the board with a flat cable.
The board is covered by a large aluminum plate. After removing it, the host shows a thermal pad on its underside that contacts the SoC. The whole plate acts as the heat sink. The host says this heat-sink area is quite large compared with a Pi 5 setup, so heat dissipation looks comfortable.
For storage, the SSD is similar to the official Raspberry Pi part shown on the product page. The host says the mounting holes allow different SSD sizes, so you can install one of your choice. An expansion board of the type shown can also be inserted.
Looking at the full board, the host confirms that the Pi 5's flat-cable connectors are missing and that the Pi 5's PCIe lane now serves the SSD. Near the edge is an area with no components installed. The host says it is reportedly reserved for PoE-related parts fed from the RJ45 port. They also point out that part of the board assembly doesn't sit flat and looks wrinkled. It was like that from the start, and the host says they can't tell whether this matters.
Conclusion: A Learning Machine That Complements the Pi 5
The host's final assessment is that the 500+ is handy because it only needs power and a display. They expect it to be used mostly for education. It comes with 16GB of RAM, the largest option available, plus a fast SSD. The main decision is whether that RAM and storage fit your purpose. Some things the Pi 5 can do, such as fitting into a device, are no longer practical with the 500+, and the host thinks embedding it would be hard because of its size. For that, there is the Pi 5. The host suggests the two products seem to fill different roles.
This video is brought to you courtesy of DigiKey. Hello. I got a Raspberry Pi 500+ today to review. Here is the unit.
Ichiken Channel has reviewed the Raspberry Pi series, especially board models such as the Pi 4 and Pi 5. In my usual videos, I frequently use Raspberry Pi when I want to do processing that cannot be done with a microcontroller.
The 500+ we will be using is unlike the board models I've used in the past. It looks like this keyboard, and it is a type of Raspberry Pi you can use just by connecting a power supply and display. Today we'll try the 500+ in action and look at how it feels, where to use it, and the composition of its contents. But first, here is today's sponsor. Go ahead.
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It's held daily this year through December 24. You can apply once a day, so your chances of winning are also higher. If you don't do it, you're missing out. And for those of you who unfortunately did not win, thank you for your support. You have a chance to win a DigiKey purchase certificate worth $500! By the way, last year there was a winner of this special prize from Japan. We look forward to receiving many applications this year. Please use the link in the description.
This is the one we will be reviewing: the Raspberry Pi 500+. I purchased it from DigiKey, our sponsor. This product was released on September 25, 2025. At the time of recording, the price at DigiKey was about 35,000 yen including tax. Even if you obtain it from a domestic vendor, I think the price will be about the same.
As for what's inside, it's basically the same as the 16GB version of the Raspberry Pi 5, but the storage has been enhanced. It has a 256GB SSD built in from the start. Compared with booting the Raspberry Pi series from microSD, startup time and daily usability look like a significant improvement.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released several keyboard-shaped Raspberry Pis. In the Raspberry Pi 4 era, the Raspberry Pi 400 came out. The Raspberry Pi 500 is based on the Raspberry Pi 5. As for the Raspberry Pi 500+ we will use this time, I think it's treated more like a successor to the 500, an updated version.
Incidentally, it's already on sale overseas. In Japan, the release date has not yet been determined due to technical certification requirements. I bought this one from DigiKey. Although it had an FCC mark, there was no technical conformity mark. Therefore, this time I'll apply under the special exception system for experiments using equipment that has not obtained technical conformity certification and use it that way.
By the way, the Raspberry Pi 5 that I previously purchased from DigiKey, about six months after launch, had a technical conformity mark. As for this 500+, there is a possibility that the technical conformity mark will be applied over time. The exact timing is not well known.
We'll also look at the differences in the interface section, where these cables plug in. Basically, not much has changed from the Raspberry Pi 5. The Raspberry Pi 500+ has one fewer USB-A port. There is a microSD card reader, USB-C for the power supply, two Micro HDMI ports, these GPIO pins, and one RJ45 port for connecting a LAN cable.
The 500+ no longer has the connectors found on the Raspberry Pi 5 for connecting PCIe cables like this one, flat cables, and sockets. As for PCIe, it is already used internally for the NVMe SSD. Therefore, the 500+ has slightly fewer interfaces for connecting to the outside world.
From here on, I'd like to give Ichiken's view of possible uses for the Raspberry Pi 5 and 500+, and how to choose between them. Here's a quick comparison. First of all, a normal Raspberry Pi is very small, as you can see. I remember it being very exciting when the first Raspberry Pi came out: a single-board computer of this size was available. Recently, with mini PCs and other devices, such single-board computers feel more familiar. Compared to the old Raspberry Pis, the Pi 5 is getting much better.
You add a keyboard and other peripherals to the Raspberry Pi 5. Storage is also microSD, so it is designed to get you started with a relatively minimal configuration. RAM capacity is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB versions. There are five options, so you can choose the amount of memory you want depending on how you use it.
For example, if you want to integrate a Raspberry Pi 5 into a device, you can choose the minimum memory required for the device to operate and the microSD capacity, put together a Raspberry Pi at minimum cost, and use it in the device. To summarize so far, the Raspberry Pi 5 is designed not only for learning but also to be incorporated into equipment.
On the other hand, what about the Raspberry Pi 500+? The keyboard is integrated, and storage is enhanced from the start. But since it has an integrated keyboard like this, it loses the benefits of being small and easy to integrate into equipment, like the Raspberry Pi 5. Also, RAM and SSD capacities are fixed from the beginning. You can't adjust the cost of the Raspberry Pi part in the same way.
Therefore, I think the Raspberry Pi 500+ is suited to situations where it is used for a specific purpose, such as learning. However, you can also do this with a regular Raspberry Pi 5.
Next, we'll look at the cost of each, assuming the Raspberry Pi 5 and 500+ are configured to the same specifications. The Raspberry Pi 5 16GB RAM version is priced at $145. To use an SSD in the same way as the 500+, an expansion card is required. The expansion card itself is inexpensive at $12, but an SSD will cost extra. There was also an expansion board bundled with an SSD for $55. So using a Raspberry Pi 5 with an SSD comes to nearly $200.
The Raspberry Pi 500+, as I explained earlier, is priced at $200, with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. In that light, the Raspberry Pi 500+ comes with a keyboard and fast storage from the beginning, so it may be a surprisingly cost-effective choice. But if you don't need 16GB of RAM, you can use the 8GB or 4GB model of the Raspberry Pi 5 and do it for even less.
Now let's actually use it. You can plug USB-C into the back of the unit like this. The power light comes on, and it starts up. Startup is pretty fast, too. The bootloader is already up and running. If you can see the keyboard here, it glows like this. Compared to booting using microSD, boot speed is faster. It should be finished starting up by now. It's started. It usually takes less than 30 seconds to start up.
There is a place to insert a microSD card, so you can use it in the usual Raspberry Pi way. But it has an SSD with an OS installed, so it can be used out of the box.
By the way, the monitor I'm using right now is a genuine Raspberry Pi product. It's like a common portable monitor with a 15.6-inch LCD. It's $100, so about 15,000 yen. But it doesn't have to be this monitor at all. I think it's better to find something cheaper yourself.
As for what it can do and its performance, it's the same as the Raspberry Pi 5. Basically, it's a regular single-board computer. With the Raspberry Pi 4, it was a little more marginal, but since the Raspberry Pi 5, CPU and GPU performance have improved. It performs well enough as a computer for normal browsing.
In the case of the Raspberry Pi 5, the SoC generates quite a lot of heat, to the point that a heat sink and cooling fan were needed. In this case, it's not that hot. There is a solid cooling mechanism inside, so I don't think we need to worry that much about heat. I'll take it apart later and show you the cooling part.
This is the part of the Raspberry Pi 500+ that I'm most interested in: this keyboard. The one we are using has a US layout. There are keyboard layouts for other languages, including Japanese, but they are out of stock. I think quantities for other languages are low, so that can't be helped. By the way, DigiKey's page gave February 2, 2026 as the availability date for the Japanese version.
It's a mechanical keyboard. You can change the lighting to suit your preferences. Here's what it actually sounds like when you type on the keyboard. It's like "clickety-click." I'll try to get closer to the microphone.
Preferences will probably differ quite a bit when it comes to this keypress feel and sound. The clicking is rather pleasant, and it feels like you're operating a gadget. As for Ichiken's impressions, the clicking sound is quite loud. I think it's too loud, so I'd be happier with something quieter. When used in the workplace, it sounds like it could develop into a noise problem. By the way, you can't replace the switches, but you can swap the keycaps and play around with them.
We'll disassemble it now. With storage replacement and similar tasks in mind, Raspberry Pi has written an official disassembly guide on its wiki. The accessories include tools like this one. The manufacturer recommends disassembly. Unscrew it like this, and open it with the supplied tools.
It's open. The keyboard is connected by a flat cable like this. This part is entirely covered with an aluminum plate. We'll remove this as well. It's removed. This is the back of the aluminum plate. There's a thermally conductive pad here in contact with the SoC, so this whole thing is used as a heat sink. The heat sink has quite a large surface area. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 5 and similar models, it seems to have plenty of capacity for heat dissipation.
The SSD is a genuine Raspberry Pi product like the one on this page. There are mounting-hole positions farther along as well, so it looks like you can insert an SSD of whatever size you want. You can also insert this type of expansion board for further expansion.
Looking at the entire board, there are none of the connectors for flat cables and so on that were on the Raspberry Pi 5. The Raspberry Pi 5's PCIe interface is used for the SSD. On the edge of the board, there are areas with no components populated. They say this is an area for PoE-related components to supply power through RJ45.
By the way, the circuit board is not properly attached. It's all wrinkled like this. I don't know if this is good or bad. It's been this way from the beginning.
Today I tried using the Raspberry Pi 500+ a little. It's integrated with the keyboard, and it's good that all you need to use it is a power supply and display. I think it will probably be used mostly for educational purposes. It comes with 16GB of RAM, the largest RAM capacity available, and fast SSD storage from the start.
However, choosing RAM and storage capacities to suit your purpose, as you could with a conventional Raspberry Pi 5, is no longer possible with this 500+. In fact, I think its size would make it quite difficult to incorporate into a device. But we have the Raspberry Pi 5 for that. I'm not sure whether there is a clear separation between their roles.
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