Here’s one for all those Raspberry Pi enthusiasts out there. The creators of the original Raspberry Pi have released a version of the hugely popular model B. What they call as probably the “final evolution”of the original, the Model B+ is less power consuming and has some enhanced features which they say has been manufactured based on request form the hobbyists.
The new model still uses the same processor BCM2835, has the same 512 mb ram and runs on the same software. Sold at the same cost as the Model B, $35, and currently available at the usual manufacturing partners element 14 and RS/Applied Components the Model B+ has improvements such as
- 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. We now 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 we’ve reduced power consumption by between 0.5W and 1W.
- Better audio. The audio circuit incorporates a dedicated low-noise power supply.
- Neater form factor. We’ve aligned the USB connectors with the board edge, moved composite video onto the 3.5mm jack, and added four squarely-placed mounting holes.