The Raspberry Pi Zero is a nifty little computer and has long been one of the credit-card sized computers on the market. Yes, it’s a computer you can slip into your wallet if you want to. However, there was one glaring problem with it. It had no wireless capabilities. The company behind the small computers have given us a solution, the Raspberry Pi Zero W.
The original Raspberry Pi Zero measured 65mm x 30mm and included a BCM2835 chip (same as Pi 1) but up-clocked to 1GHz, 512MB of RAM, Micro-SD slot, Mini-HDMI, Micro-USB for data, Micro-USB for power and an unpopulated 40-pin GPIO connector (same pinout as A+/B+/2B), all for the cost of $5.
Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi Zero W comes with nearly the same specs, but with the added WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. It includes 1GHz, Single-core CPU, 512MB RAM, Mini HDMI and USB On-The-Go ports, Micro USB power, HAT-compatible 40-pin header, Composite video and reset headers, CSI camera connector, 802.11n wireless LAN & Bluetooth 4.0. The cost goes up, but just a tiny bit, to $10.
It’s the same wireless chip as used on the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, the Cypress CYW43438. The new Raspberry Pi Zero W also comes out on the 5th anniversary of the original Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi Foundation also announced an official plastic case for the Zero and Zero W, which comes with three swappable lids, including one with a blank cover, one with an aperture for GPIOs, and one with a mounting point for a camera.
The added wireless capabilities of the Raspberry Pi Zero W is a sure boon to hardware and gadget tinkerers who’ll be able to create fantastic little devices such as handheld game devices, toys and more.
