The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced "Raspberry Pi Model B+" today, an upgrade to the original Model B, which is available at the same price ($35).
For those not familiar with the Raspberry Pi, this is a credit-card-sized computer which runs Linux, created with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic computer science in schools. A wide variety of Linux distributions are available for Raspberry Pi, such as Raspbian (Debian Wheezy), Pidora (Fedora remix), Openelec and RaspBMC (XBMC Media Center) and Arch Linux.
Raspberry Pi Model B+ uses the same BCM2835 application processor as the Model B and it can run the same Linux distributions, but some parts were improved:
- More GPIO. The GPIO header has grown to 40 pins, while retaining the same pinout for the first 26 pins as the Model B;
- More USB. Raspberry Pi Model B+ now has have 4 USB 2.0 ports, compared to 2 on the Model B, and better hotplug and overcurrent behaviour;
- Micro SD. The old friction-fit SD card socket has been replaced with a much nicer push-push micro SD version;
- Lower power consumption. By replacing linear regulators with switching ones, power consumption was reduced by between 0.5W and 1W.
- Better audio. The audio circuit incorporates a dedicated low-noise power supply;
- Neater form factor. The USB connectors were aligned with the board edge, moved composite video onto the 3.5mm jack, and added four squarely-placed mounting holes.
The announcement also mentions that the Raspberry Pi Foundation will be "keeping Model B in production for as long as there’s demand for it".
The new Rasbetty Pi Model B+ is available from this morning and you can buy it from Farnell/element14/Newark, RS/Allied Components and others.
Below you can watch the Raspberry Pi Model B+ introduction video:
Meet the Raspberry Pi Model B+ from Raspberry Pi Foundation on Vimeo.
via raspberrypi.org
