The Raspberry Pi 500+ Announcement: Impact on High School STEM Labs
Overview of the Raspberry Pi 500+
In September 2025, the Raspberry Pi Foundation announced the Raspberry Pi 500+ In that announcement, they priced their premium "computer-in-a-keyboard" desktop solution priced at \(200 (\)220 for the Desktop Kit). This builds on the original Raspberry Pi 500 ($90) released earlier, offering substantial upgrades for more demanding educational and professional use cases.
Specifications
| Feature | Raspberry Pi 500+ |
|---|---|
| CPU | 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD (internal M.2 slot) |
| GPU | VideoCore VII |
| Keyboard | Mechanical RGB (Gateron KS-33 Blue switches) |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0/BLE, Gigabit Ethernet |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, Dual micro-HDMI (4K), 40-pin GPIO |
| M.2 Support | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 form factors |
| Price | $200 (unit) / $220 (Desktop Kit with mouse, PSU, cable, guide) |
Impact on High School STEM Labs
1. Dramatic Cost Reduction
Traditional computer labs cost $800-1,500+ per workstation. A 25-seat STEM lab comparison:
| Setup | Cost per Seat | 25-Seat Lab Total |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional PC | $1,000-1,500 | $25,000-37,500 |
| Pi 500+ Desktop Kit | $220 | $5,500 |
| Pi 500 Desktop Kit | $120 | $3,000 |
Schools can deploy a https://opensource.com/article/18/3/computer-lab-school-raspberry-pi using Raspberry Pi devices—a fraction of traditional costs.
2. Real Computing Power for Modern Curriculum
The Pi 500+ is no longer a "toy" computer: - 16GB RAM handles VS Code, multiple browser tabs, and development environments - 256GB NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and ample storage for projects - Dual 4K display support enables professional-grade visual work - Runs full Raspberry Pi OS (Debian-based Linux), Python, Scratch, and web development tools
This makes it suitable for teaching: - Linux system administration - Python programming - Web development (HTML/CSS/JS, Node.js) - Data science basics - Robotics and physical computing (GPIO pins)
3. Physical Computing Integration
Unlike traditional PCs, the Pi 500+ retains the 40-pin GPIO header, enabling direct integration with: - Sensors and actuators - Robotics projects - IoT experimentation - Electronics prototyping
Students learn both software AND hardware—a unique advantage for STEM education.
4. Durability and Maintenance
- Solid-state design with no moving parts (fanless operation)
- Lower power consumption (~15-27W vs. 200-500W for traditional PCs)
- Simple recovery—reflash the SD card or reinstall on NVMe
- Reduced IT burden—standardized, reproducible setups
5. Considerations and Trade-offs
According to https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-500-plus-review, at $200, some may compare it to budget laptops or Intel N100 mini PCs. However, the Pi 500+ offers: - A complete keyboard-computer solution (no separate case/keyboard needed) - GPIO for physical computing (unique advantage) - Strong educational ecosystem and curriculum support - Community and foundation resources
Recommended Configurations for Schools
| Use Case | Model | Per-Seat Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Linux/coding intro | Pi 500 ($90) + monitor | ~$170-250 |
| Full STEM curriculum | Pi 500+ ($220) + monitor | ~$300-400 |
| Budget-constrained | Pi 4 (1GB) + peripherals | ~$120-150 |
Conclusion
The Raspberry Pi 500+ represents a significant milestone for affordable STEM education. At $200-220, schools can deploy high-quality, capable Linux workstations that teach real-world skills—from command-line proficiency to physical computing—at roughly 1/5 to 1/7 the cost of traditional PC labs. The inclusion of 16GB RAM, NVMe storage, and mechanical keyboard transforms what was once a hobbyist device into a legitimate educational computing platform.
For high schools looking to expand STEM offerings without massive capital investment, the Pi 500 family offers an unprecedented opportunity to democratize access to computing education.
Sources:
- https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/the-ultimate-all-in-one-pc-raspberry-pi-500-plus-on-sale-now-at-200/
- https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-500-plus-review
- https://raspberrytips.com/raspberry-pi-500-plus-announced/
- https://opensource.com/article/18/3/computer-lab-school-raspberry-pi
- https://pidora.ca/transform-your-classroom-how-raspberry-pi-makes-stem-learning-come-alive/
- https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2025/raspberry-pi-500-launches-with-256gb-nvme-ssd-and-16gb-ram