A unique entry has appeared on the single-board computer market — the Raspberry Pi 5 with 1 GB of RAM. This model is aimed at users working on simple electronics projects who don’t require high processing power. However, the launch of this version coincided with a noticeable price increase for other Raspberry Pi models, sparking lively discussion among enthusiasts and professionals.
In recent months, single-board computer manufacturers have faced an unprecedented surge in RAM costs. The cause is a sharp spike in demand from the artificial intelligence industry, which is buying up all available memory supplies. As a result, even non-profit projects like the Raspberry Pi have been forced to adjust their pricing policies.
Market pressure
The CEO of the company behind the Raspberry Pi brand explained that the steep price hike is due to rising costs for LPDDR4 memory used in their boards. Major memory producers have shifted their capacity to fulfill more lucrative orders for data centers and AI infrastructure, leaving the consumer market in short supply. As a result, even entry-level devices are becoming less accessible to a broad audience.
For now, the manufacturer assures that this is a temporary situation, and as soon as the market stabilizes, prices will be revised downward. However, users currently have to adapt to the new terms: the 2GB version has risen to $55, and the top-end 16GB model now costs $145. For many, this was an unpleasant surprise, as Raspberry Pi has always been associated with affordability and reasonable pricing.
Features of the new version
The Raspberry Pi 5 with 1GB of memory is equipped with the same ARM Cortex A76 processor featuring four cores and a 2.4 GHz clock speed as the higher-end models. Modern features such as dual-band Wi-Fi and PCI Express support are also retained. The main difference is the minimum RAM, which today seems modest even for basic tasks. Nevertheless, for educational purposes, electronics experiments, and automation, this board could be an optimal choice.
The official price of the new version is $45. This is the most affordable option in the lineup, but even it has not escaped the impact of the global memory shortage. For those who were planning to upgrade or launch new projects on Raspberry Pi, the situation has become more complicated: now, you have to choose between functionality and budget.
Impact on the market
The rise in memory prices has affected not only Raspberry Pi, but the entire consumer electronics market. RAM has become a real scarcity, and its cost has soared several times over in recent months. Even during traditional sales periods such as Black Friday, finding good deals is nearly impossible. This is impacting the prices of smartphones, gaming consoles, and other devices where memory is a key component.
Users note that memory modules are becoming a luxury, and manufacturers are being forced to rethink their strategies. For many companies, this means reducing their product lines or raising prices to offset costs. Under these conditions, even minor updates—like releasing a version with 1 GB of memory—become notable events for the market.
Outlook and Expectations
Experts believe that the memory situation may improve in the coming months, as production capacity is reallocated and demand from AI stabilizes. For now, however, users must adapt to the new reality—either opting for simpler solutions or postponing purchases for better times. This is especially challenging for educational institutions and enthusiasts, as affordable boards have always been one of Raspberry Pi’s main advantages.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer continues to monitor the situation and promises to return to previous pricing as soon as possible. Until then, the single-board computer market remains in anticipation of change, and users are left seeking a compromise between price and performance.
In case you didn’t know, Raspberry Pi is a British non-profit organization founded in 2009. It focuses on developing and promoting affordable single-board computers for education, hobbyists, and professional projects. Over the years, the brand has become a symbol of technological democratization and has inspired millions of people around the world to learn programming and electronics.
