We’re huge fans of the Raspberry Pi Zero, the outfit’s $5 board computer. Given the need for staying connected in this day and age, though, it’s lacking one important component: wireless connectivity. The Raspberry Pi Zero W bridges that gap by reinforcing the original board with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
That’s right, you can now get Raspberry Pi’s cheapest board computer with built-in wireless chips, so there’s no need to add dongles or solder extra radio chips to get your connected projects off the ground. Simply put, if you have a low-cost internet-of-things project in mind, you now have a go-to board computer that you can purchase affordably by the dozen.
The Raspberry Pi Zero W gets exactly the same specs as the original, including a 1GHz single-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 40-pin header, a micro SD card slot, a mini HDMI port, and two micro USB ports (one for power and another for USB). It also retains the same dimensions (2.6 x 1.2 x 0.2 inches), connectors, and mounting holes as the original board, so it will remain compatible any previous builds you’ve done, along with all the accessories you’ve previously incorporated.
While it’s not quite as cheap as the original, the Raspberry Pi Zero W is still pretty affordable at just $10, making it a highly-accessible option for students, home tinkerers, and other enthusiasts.