Raspberry Pi 400: A Computer Built Into a Keyboard
This week, engineers from the Raspberry Pi Foundation introduced a rather unusual gadget, different from the typical single-board computers we’re used to. The Raspberry Pi 400 is a fully functional computer built into a compact keyboard case (measuring 286 x 122 x 23 mm). The developers, well aware of the associations users might have, even jokingly compare the new device to the classic Commodore 64.
The device is positioned as a complete desktop PC—just connect a monitor and other peripherals. According to the developers, it’s essentially a faster and more interesting version of the Raspberry Pi 4, featuring 4 GB of RAM.
Key Features and Specifications
- Powered by an ARM Cortex-A72 processor (1.8 GHz)
- 4 GB of RAM
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac
- Two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port
- GPIO input/output interface
- MicroSD card slot
- Two HDMI ports supporting 4K video output at up to 60 Hz
- Powered via USB-C port
Pricing and Availability
The Raspberry Pi 400 is available in two versions: for $70 you get just the keyboard computer, and for $100 you get a complete kit that includes the keyboard, mouse, power supply, HDMI cable, MicroSD card, and user guide.
Localized versions of the Raspberry Pi 400 are already in the works, with keyboards featuring 78 or 79 keys depending on the region. British, American, German, French, Italian, and Spanish versions are already available, and layouts for Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Japan are coming soon.
Sales have started in the UK, USA, and France, with Italy, Germany, and Spain expected to follow in the coming weeks. The developers promise that by the end of the year, the Raspberry Pi 400 will also be available in India, Australia, and New Zealand, and will roll out worldwide in the first few months of 2021.