So, I don't know if you've seen, but there's a brand new Raspberry Pi Compute module launching today!
As you guys know, having been around the Raspberry Pi block quite a few times, the Compute module isn't really aimed at the makers among us -- this is more for a commercial, or industrial market, where the brains of a Pi need to be embedded inside a prototype, platform, or some other manner of professionally-built project.
But we'd still be interested in hearing your thoughts on this new iteration of the device, which offers a very different form factor from the Raspberry Pi SBC (this being a SOM, instead (System on Module)) along with a significantly extended GPIO interface.
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 & Compute Module 3 Lite | |
|---|---|
The original Compute module was built around the BCM2835 processor, which was also found on the RPi B+. Although the Raspberry Pi SBC has seen a couple of iterations since then, this is the first update to the Compute platform that's been released (nope, there's no Compute Module 2 -- you didn't miss something!).
It contains the BCM2837 process, the same as the Raspberry Pi 3, and its RAM has been doubled to 1GB. The Compute Module 3, just like its predecessor, has 4GB of eMMC flash memory in lieu of needing an SD card for the OS and storage. Though if you're wanting to slim things down, the Compute Module 3 Lite dispenses with the eMMC flash memory, and exposes the pins via the edge connector instead. |  |
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 Development Kit | |
As with the original Compute Module, there's an IO breakout board available that's very similar to its older brother. One of the primary purposes of the Compute Module itself is for prototyping, and this board allows you to prepare your Compute Module 3 for that function.
It offers easy pin access to all those many, many, lovely GPIOs, and now includes a microSD port for the Compute Module 3 Lite (on account of it not having the built-in eMMC flash memory). |  |
So, there's your brief overview of the Compute Module 3, with a more in-depth look at the three boards over here, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on this latest addition to the Raspberry Pi family in the comments below!
Top Comments