My Linux fallback box

Raspberry
Pi 500+

16GB of RAM inside a high-quality keyboard, with customisable RGB lighting. It runs better than a Pi 4, that’s for sure. But not at today’s price.

£85 on eBay, bought by me Not sponsored Not gifted
My white Raspberry Pi 500+ keyboard computer on a wooden desk, in front of its box, which shows UK layout, 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD, with the Raspberry Pi desktop on a monitor behind.
Mine, fresh out of the box.

The short version

The good

  • A lovely keyboard you just want to keep typing on
  • Huge heatsink: overclocked, never over 55°C
  • 16GB of RAM and an M.2 slot for a proper SSD
  • Runs better than a Pi 4
  • Could be your only PC if needs must
  • Runs AdGuard, Unbound and UniFi OS without hitting its ceiling

The not so good

  • At around £400, you’re in Mac mini territory
  • A second-hand M1 MacBook Air wipes the floor with it
  • Even a cheap OptiPlex would be better
  • The Pi 5 inside is starting to feel dated

Who it’s for

Linux fans and homelabbers who can get one cheap. If you’re about to spend £400, add another £100 and get a Mac mini.

£85 What I paid. They’re around £400 new now.

Living with it

The keyboard

It’s a lovely keyboard, one you just want to keep typing on. The RGB lighting is customisable too.

Overclocked and cool

I overclocked it, and because it has such a beast of a heatsink, it never got over 55°C.

It runs better than a Pi 4, that’s for sure. It could even be your only PC if needs must.

The M.2 slot

Then there’s the M.2 slot. I upgraded the SSD straight away.

A homelab box on its side

For most of its life so far, it’s been on its side, leant up against the wall, with just an ethernet cable and power going in.

I’ve used it for AdGuard, Unbound and the UniFi OS software. Pretty much anything in homelabbing that doesn’t need a GPU.

I haven’t really hit its ceiling. It’s great for what it does.

My fallback machine

I use it headless these days, because I’ve got other PCs I can use.

It’s a nice fallback machine. Handy for transferring data, and for keeping data somewhere safe while you’re moving stuff around.

The price problem

I paid £85 for it brand new, on an eBay auction, some time ago. They’re going for upward of £400 now.

For that money you’re close to Mac mini territory, and that’s so much better in every way. Add an extra £100 and get a Mac mini. You might even get a second-hand one for £400.

I picked up an M1 MacBook Air for £300, and it wipes the floor with the Pi 500+. Even a cheap OptiPlex would be better.

Why I keep it

I keep it because it runs Linux, and I’m a Linux fanboy.

But the Pi 5 inside is now dated. I think it’s in need of a refresh.

The specs

Raspberry Pi’s numbers, and what I actually found.

16GBLPDDR4X RAM
Pi 5Same quad-core 64-bit Arm processor as the Raspberry Pi 5
256GBM.2 SSD pre-installed. I upgraded mine
RGBMechanical keyboard, Gateron KS-33 Blue switches, per-key lighting
55°CThe hottest mine got, overclocked
2×4KDual 4K displays at 60Hz
£85What I paid. Around £394 new today

Connections

What runs on mine

Raspberry Pi says vs what I found

Raspberry Pi saysWhat I found
One-piece aluminium heatsinkA beast. Overclocked, it never got over 55°C.
Premium mechanical keyboardLovely. One you just want to keep typing on.
16GB RAM, M.2 SSDNever hit its ceiling running my homelab services. I upgraded the SSD straight away.
A complete computer in a keyboardCould be your only PC if needs must. Mine mostly runs headless.
£393.60Too much. That’s Mac mini money, and a Mac mini is so much better.

Specs are Raspberry Pi’s published figures. The £393.60 price is The Pi Hut’s; prices change, so check before you buy.

The verdict

As my homelab and fallback Linux box.