pi 500

Raspberry Pi 500 uses QMK Firmware for built-in keyboard

I mentioned in my Pi 500 review Raspberry Pi is dogfooding their own microcontroller in the new Pi 500. An RP2040 sits next to the keyboard ribbon cable connector, and interfaces it through a USB port directly into the RP1 chip:

Raspberry Pi 500 PCB with RP2040 for keyboard input

In good news for keyboarding enthusiasts, the RP2040 seems to be flashed with the open-source QMK ('Quantum Mechanical Keyboard') Firmware. Thanks to a reader, 'M', who figured that out!

System76 Launch keyboard with RP2040 inside

The Pi 500 is much faster, but lacks M.2

Raspberry Pi this morning launched the Pi 500 and a new 15.6" Pi Monitor, for $90 and $100, respectively.

Pi 500 setup with monitor on desk

They're also selling a Pi 500 Kit, complete with a Power Supply, Mouse, and micro HDMI to HDMI cable, for $120. This is the first time Raspberry Pi is selling a complete package, where every part of a desktop computer could be Pi-branded—and makes me wonder if uniting all these parts into one could result in an eventual Pi Laptop...

Before we get too deep, no, the Pi 500 does not include a built-in M.2 slot. Sort-of.

Pi 500 PCB top side