Skip to main content

Take a bite of the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ on Pi Day

A BRAND-NEW PI FOR π DAY

If you’re a mathematician, then March 14 is probably one of your favorite days of the year. It’s Pi Day, maybe the only officially recognized celebration of a number and, in addition to feasting on a real pie, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the influence of math and science on technology. If you’re the Raspberry Pi Foundation, then it’s also a great day to introduce a new member of its single-board computer family.

This time around, it’s the Raspberry Pi Model B+, the newest version of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B that was first introduced roughly two years ago. As the foundation points out, it usually releases “plus” models after a couple of years with improved specs and functionality, and the Raspberry Pi 3 is the next in line to receive the same treatment.

The Model B+ updates include improvements in the diminutive computer’s performance, including incorporating an updated version of the Broadcom application processor, the BCM2837B0, that is 200MHz faster and builds in power integrity optimizations and a heat spreader that allows it to run so much faster. In addition, the Cypress CYW43455 combo Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip improves wireless performance, particularly on the 5GHz band. It also uses new metal shielding that’s certified under Federal Communications Commission regulations, making conformance testing of Raspberry Pi solutions easier and less costly.

There are a host of other improvements as well, including faster wired Ethernet connectivity, Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, and general thermal improvements that should make for a generally faster and more stable single-board computer. If you’re looking to build a Raspberry Pi project, then you’re going to find it to run faster and more reliably — always a good thing.

Here are the complete specifications for the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+:

SoC: Broadcom BCM2837B0
CPU:

Cortex-A53 @ 1.4GHz

RAM:

1GB LPDDR2

Wireless:

802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2

Wired:

1GB Ethernet over USB 2.0

Connectivity:

4 x USB 2.0, HDMI, CSI camera port, DSI display port, 4-pole stereo output and composite video port, microSD, Extended 40-pin GPIO header

Power:

5V/2.5Am DC power input

If you’re looking to kick off a Raspberry Pi project, then you will be happy to know that the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ remains available at the same low $35 price. It’s available for purchase, meaning that you can get started right away on that artificial intelligence-powered smart mirror you have been wanting to build.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Coppock
Mark has been a geek since MS-DOS gave way to Windows and the PalmPilot was a thing. He’s translated his love for…
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
A Brother printer on a counter in front of a brick wall.

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you'll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That's why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Read more
The 5 best Wi-Fi adapters for PC in 2024
The Ugreen AC1300 Wi-Fi adapter in a desktop PC.

Whether you're designing it yourself or getting a pre-built PC, it can be easy to get a computer and realize that it doesn't have a native Wi-Fi adapter. Or, maybe it does, but you're internet speeds are getting faster, game downloads are getting bigger, you've already upgraded your router and need an adapter to match your newfound power requirements. No matter the situation, an external Wi-Fi adapter that you can add to your PC setup or even laptop setup will be worth your time. Here, we investigate the best Wi-Fi adapters for PC use. Most are incredibly affordable and just snap into a free USB port and start working.
The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC in 2024

Buy the

Read more
How to pin a website to the taskbar in Windows
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Windows includes many interesting tools, but if you’re like many people, more and more of your digital life is happening in your web browser and nowhere else. That being the case, you’ll want to keep your most important websites close at hand. The easiest way to access them in Windows is the Start menu and the taskbar, treating them more or less like programs in and of themselves.

Although easy overall, getting a website from your browser to your taskbar is slightly different depending on which browser you’re using.

Read more