Raspberry Pi introduces Compute Module 5 for embedded applications

The Raspberry Pi is best known for its single-board computer with a ton of external ports. The most recent being the Raspberry Pi 5, launched in September 2023.

These minicomputers are perfect for the education market and tech enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive computing device to power an interactive dashboard, build a retro game console, and more.

On Wednesday the Raspberry Pi introduced a new product, the Compute Module 5. These variants of the system in the module are single-board computers without any traditional ports. That makes them very suitable for embedded applications.

Many companies use Raspberry Pi Compute Modules in commercial products. In 2023, the “enthusiast and education” segment represented 28% of the company’s single board computer and Compute Module sales, while the “industrial and embedded” segment accounted for 72% of sales.

The new Compute Module 5 starts at $45 and shares many of the specifications of the Raspberry Pi 5, starting with a quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor, support for two 4K displays with a 60Hz refresh rate, Gigabit Ethernet, -Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity.

As with Compute Module 4, there is a a ton of options. You can choose Compute Modules with or without wireless technology; with 2GB, 4GB or 8GB of RAM; and up to 64GB of flash storage on board.

The most expensive Compute Module now costs $95. The Raspberry Pi also offers an optional heatsink that covers the entire Compute Module for $5.

And if you’re working with Compute Module 5, you can buy an IO board for $20 that lets you use all of its connections and start developing. You can also turn the Compute Module 5 into a small desktop computer with a metal case that protects the Module’s hardware and IO board.

Now, let’s see if Raspberry Pi plans to update the Raspberry Pi 400 next. That device is actually a keyboard with a built-in Raspberry Pi computer based on the Raspberry Pi 4 – and it’s pretty cool.