The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is a tiny credit card size computer. Just add a keyboard, mouse, display, power supply, micro SD card with installed Linux Distribution and you’ll have a fully fledged computer that can run applications from word processors and spreadsheets to games.
As the Raspberry Pi 3?supports HD video, you can even create a media centre with it. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is the first Raspberry Pi to be open-source from the get-go, expect it to be the defacto embedded linux board in all the forums. Some even suggest you use the newest version of the NOOBS operating system (1.8.0) if you want to benefit from? faster ?operation and WiFi / Bluetooth.
The RPi3 retains the same GPIO and board layout as the RPi2 meaning that it’s compatible with most add on ‘Hat’ boards. The RPi3 will probably fit in older cases, but because of a few positional changes, the older cases may be less than ideal. Watch out for cases made of metal – the metal could end up interfering with the WiFi / Bluetooth radio transmissions.
So what’s new?
- Onboard Wireless LAN and Bluetooth 4.1
- 33% Faster CPU Clock Rate
- 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 processor
- Video core clocked at nearly 2x speed of RPi2
- 3D GFX processor 50Mhz faster
- 1GB of RAM
- A new turbocharged?Broadcom?BCM2837?1.2GHz quad-core system-on-chip with performance at least 6x that of the B (and a 300Mhz increase from the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B).
What’s the same?
- Same form factor as the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (your enclosures and daughter boards should still fit, however some of the LEDs have changed position).
- Same full-size HDMI port
- Same 10/100 Ethernet port
- Same CSI camera port and DSI display ports
- Same micro USB power supply connection
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Features
- 6x Faster – BroadcomBCM2837 64-bit ARMv8 Quad Core Processor powered Single?Board Computer running at 1.2GHz
- WiFi?802.11b/g/n built in
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Double Memory – 1GB RAM so you can now run bigger and more powerful?applications
- Identical board layout and footprint as the Model B , so all cases and 3rd party addon
- boards designed for the Model B will be fully compatible.
- Fully HAT compatible
- 40pin extended GPIO to enhance your ?real world? projects. GPIO is 100%?compatible with the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, Raspberry Pi 2, Model B and A boards. First 26 pins are identical to the?Model A and Model B boards to provide full backward compatibility across all?boards.
- Connect a Raspberry Pi camera and touch screen display (each sold separately)
- Stream and watch Hi-definition video output at 1080P
- Micro SD slot for storing information and loading your operating systems.
- Advanced power management:
- You can now provide up to 1.2 Amp to the USB ports ? enabling you to?connect more power hungry USB devices directly to the Raspberry PI. (This feature requires a 2Amp micro USB Power Supply)
- Upgraded switched Micro USB power source (now supports up to 2.5 Amps)
- 10/100 Ethernet Port to quickly connect the Raspberry Pi to the Internet
- Combined 4-pole jack for connecting your stereo audio out and composite video out
Specifications
- Broadcom BCM2837 64-bit ARMv8 Quad Core Processor powered Single Board
- Computer running at 1.2GHz
- BCM43143 WiFi?with IEEE 802.11b/g/n support
- Bluetooth Low Energy (NEW)
- 1GB RAM
- 40pin extended GPIO
- 4 x USB 2 ports
- 4 pole Stereo output and Composite video port
- Full size HDMI
- CSI camera port for connecting the Raspberry Pi camera
- DSI display port for connecting the Raspberry Pi touch screen display
- Micro SD port for loading your operating system and storing data
- Upgraded switched Micro USB power source (now supports up to 2.5 Amps)
