Raspberry Pi 500 Review: The keyboard is the computer, again

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Raspberry Pi’s new 500 keyboard-computer and companion monitor are drawing mixed reactions: many welcome an affordable, fanless, all‑in‑one Linux PC with strong educational potential, while others see missed opportunities and odd compromises. Critics focus on the continued use of micro HDMI, the absence of a populated M.2/NVMe slot and PoE despite PCB provisions, and the fact that similarly priced x86 mini PCs or refurbished desktops often offer more raw power and storage. Supporters counter that the Pi ecosystem, GPIO capabilities, low power draw, and extensive learning resources still make it uniquely attractive for teaching, tinkering, and hobbyist development.

Overall Reception

  • Strongly mixed reactions: some call the Pi 500 “mediocre” due to port and storage choices; others see it as “amazing” value as a sub‑$100 usable computer in a nostalgic keyboard form factor.
  • Many expect it to sell well in education / entry‑level markets, even if power users are underwhelmed.

Hardware & Design Choices

  • Heavy criticism of continued use of dual micro‑HDMI despite ample case space and prior user complaints.
  • Board has pads and silkscreen for M.2 NVMe and PoE, but components are unpopulated; seen as teasing future hardware and raising cost now without benefit.
  • Some disappointed it doesn’t use a Compute Module; others argue a dedicated board avoids people stripping CMs and wasting the rest of the unit.
  • Fanless with a large passive heatsink is viewed positively.

Storage & NVMe Debate

  • Many consider lack of a populated M.2 slot the single biggest flaw for a “desktop” device.
  • Arguments:
    • Pro‑NVMe: cheaper per GB than SD, better endurance, big boost for heavier desktop workloads.
    • “SD is fine”: day‑to‑day desktop use is mostly unaffected; NVMe is more about cost than speed.
  • Soldering on the missing NVMe components is technically possible but described as painful and impractical.

Performance & Desktop Viability

  • Pi 5/500 is noticeably faster than Pi 4/400 and usable for web dev and everyday Linux desktop tasks, but far from high‑end ARM or x86.
  • Suitable for lightweight development, education, and hobby work; heavy media or bloated sites still struggle.

Price & Alternatives (N100, Mini PCs, Refurbs)

  • Long subthread comparing Pi 500/5 to:
    • New N100 mini PCs (often 8–16 GB RAM, 256–512 GB SSD) around $120–$200.
    • Very cheap used/refurb Dell/Lenovo small‑form‑factor PCs and laptops.
  • Some argue N100/used x86 “blows it out of the water” for desktop/self‑hosting; others note Pi remains competitive once power use, GPIO, and total kit costs are included.
  • Disagreement over whether N100 systems are “twice as expensive” or roughly equivalent once you price out full Pi kits.

Education, Ecosystem & Developing Countries

  • Strong support for Pi as a standardized, well‑documented platform with rich tutorials, magazines, and add‑ons (GPIO, HATs, cameras, AI modules).
  • Counterpoint from people with experience in developing countries: grassroots adoption there favors second‑hand x86 PCs, laptops, and even old phones; RPis are relatively expensive and niche.
  • Discussion that hardware is the easy part; teacher training and curriculum integration are the bigger bottlenecks.

Monitor & Accessories

  • New Pi monitor is seen as clever for education and wall‑mounted info displays, but panel quality (≈45% gamut) and value are questioned.
  • Some speculate the Pi 500 + monitor hints at a future low‑cost Raspberry Pi laptop with NVMe and higher RAM tiers.

Miscellaneous

  • One report of severe Pi 5 Wi‑Fi connectivity issues; cause unclear.
  • Complaints that the keyboard can’t be used as a generic USB keyboard out of the box.
  • Broader frustration about software bloat shortening the useful life of low‑end hardware.