Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ Launched With 802.11ac Wi-Fi & Built-In Bluetooth

Raspberry Pi Foundation has released its new mini-computer Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ which is a successor to the classic compact Raspberry Pi Model 1 A+.

The new Model A+ features the same quad-core chip system fitted in the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. The device is powered by Broadcom’s BCM2837Bo chipset having 1.4 GHz 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 CPU.

One of the most exciting updates is the inclusion of dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5GHz 802.11ac Wi-fi which would increase the usability of the device. The new Raspberry product brings 512 RAM which is twice the RAM found in the 2014 model.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ does not feature an Ethernet port and has just one USB port which reduces the overall size of the mini-computer and leads to a small form-factor. Unlike the original A+ model, this one comes with a built-in Bluetooth 4.2 to expand the connectivity options.

Another upgrade comes in the form of low power consumption owing to its small form-factor. According to Halfacree’s benchmarks, Pi 3 A+ consumes 1.13W power during idle time, 4.1W when under load which is lower than the 2.3W for idle and 5.7W under load usage of Model B+.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ will be available from early December and is priced at $25which is $10 less than the price of the standard Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ having twice the memory.