Raspberry Pi 5 Launches: 16 GB Model Priced at $120

Introducing the Raspberry Pi 5: Bigger and Better

Back in autumn 2023, we first introduced the Raspberry Pi 5, and it was met with excitement, albeit with just two memory options: 4 GB and 8 GB. Fast forward to last summer, when we rolled out a budget-friendly 2 GB variant aimed at those looking to save a few bucks. Now, we’re thrilled to announce the arrival of the 16 GB version, priced at $120. So, why the leap to 16 GB, and why now?

The truth is, we’re constantly amazed by the innovative ways people utilize our hardware. Sure, many applications comfortably fit into the existing 2 GB or 8 GB options, but the dramatic performance boost from the Raspberry Pi 4 to the Raspberry Pi 5 has opened the door to exciting new possibilities. Think about it—large language models and computational fluid dynamics can really benefit from that extra memory. Plus, while Raspberry Pi OS is designed to be light on memory, heavyweight distributions like Ubuntu thrive with a little extra capacity for desktop use. Thanks to the optimized D0 stepping of the Broadcom BCM2712 application processor, we can finally support memory sizes larger than 8 GB. And a big shoutout to our friends at Micron for making this 16 GB dream a reality with their single package of eight 16Gbit LPDDR4X dies!

A Greener Raspberry Pi: Carbon Removal Credits

We take pride in the low environmental impact of Raspberry Pi computers. Their compact size and lightweight design mean they come with a minimal upfront carbon footprint—think less impact during manufacturing, shipping, and disposal. With idle power consumption hovering around 2-3 watts and a maximum load of under 10 watts, swapping out an old x86 PC for a Raspberry Pi can lead to a significant reduction in ongoing power consumption and, consequently, your carbon footprint.

However, we know that our carbon footprint isn’t zero, which is why we’re excited to introduce Raspberry Pi Carbon Removal Credits. Priced at just $4, these credits give you a chance to offset the emissions tied to the production and disposal of your Raspberry Pi.

How Do Carbon Removal Credits Work?

Here’s the scoop: we teamed up with Inhabit to conduct an independent assessment of the carbon footprint for manufacturing, shipping, and disposing of a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. The result? A whopping 6.5 kg of CO₂ equivalent. When you purchase a Raspberry Pi Carbon Removal Credit from one of our Approved Resellers, we send that amount to our partners at UNDO Carbon, who start capturing that CO₂ from the atmosphere using a method called enhanced rock weathering (ERW). Simple as that!

What on Earth is Enhanced Rock Weathering?

You might be wondering, what exactly is enhanced rock weathering? Well, when rain falls, it interacts with CO₂ to form carbonic acid. This acid, when it reaches mountains, forests, and grasslands, reacts with rocks and soil, mineralizing and safely storing CO₂ in solid carbonate form. In fact, this natural weathering process already helps remove about a billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere each year!

ERW speeds up this process by spreading crushed silicate rock—specifically basalt—on agricultural land. This increases The Rock’s surface area, enhancing its contact with CO₂ and reducing the time it takes to lock away carbon from millions of years to just a few decades. Once the reaction occurs, the CO₂ is stored securely for over 100,000 years.

But that’s not all! Spreading basalt on farmland also improves soil health by releasing nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. This means healthier crops and less reliance on fertilizers. Trials at the University of Newcastle have even shown that applying crushed basalt can boost crop yields. Plus, the alkaline bicarbonate ions created during the ERW process eventually wash into the ocean, helping to deacidify our waters.

Why Capture Carbon for the Future?

Most carbon offsets you hear about involve paying for carbon capture that has already taken place, like planting trees. But with Raspberry Pi Carbon Removal Credits, we’re all about proactive measures. When you buy a credit, UNDO gets to work spreading basalt now, which will capture the promised amount of carbon over the next twenty years.

We’ve chosen ERW because we believe it’s a more effective, scalable, and verifiable method for carbon capture than traditional methods. It’s our best shot at making a real dent in humanity’s carbon emissions during our lifetimes. While it’s a relatively new technology, we’re committed to supporting this process and hope to inspire others to join us in this journey.

So, whether you’re upgrading to the new Raspberry Pi 5 or considering how to offset your carbon footprint, we’re excited to be on this path with you. Together, we can make a difference—one Raspberry Pi at a time!

Background Information

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About Broadcom:

Founded in 1961, Broadcom is a leading global technology company headquartered in the United States. They specialize in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. Broadcom's innovations in connectivity, networking, and storage technologies have made them a key player in the industry, with a focus on enabling seamless communication and connectivity in the digital world.

  

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