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Overview of the Raspberry Pi Zero

Two models of Raspberry Pi inside 12 months spells an exciting year for hackers, makers, coders and tech heads around the world, and there are certain questions that immediately spring to mind when we hear about a brand new board.

 

We'll get into a lot more detail about the Pi Zero in coming days, weeks and months, but right now here's a quick guide to get you up to speed as fast as possible.

 

What is the Raspberry Pi Zero?

While the Raspberry Pi 2 marks the top end of the platform's tech specs, the Pi Zero takes the opposite approach. This is, for all intents and purposes, an entry-level model that's been reduced both in price and size (being three times smaller than the original Raspberry Pi 1 series).

 

The Raspberry Pi Zero: Technical Specifications

  • CPU: Broadcom BCM2835, which can run at up to 1GHz.
  • RAM: 512MB
  • Power: 5V, supplied via micro USB connector, drawing 160mA (even when connected to an HD display).
  • Dimensions: 65mm x 30mm x 5mm
  • Video & Audio: 1080P HD video output. Audio output via mini-HDMI connector.
  • Storage: MicroSD card.
  • Operating System: Linux, installed via NOOBS.

The Raspberry Pi Zero: Inputs and Outputs

  • MicroSD Card Slot: The Pi Zero gets its storage space from a MicroSD card, which you'll need to install the operating system on.
  • Mini HDMI: Video output for the Pi Zero is by way of a mini-HDMI connector. In terms of their operation, these connectors perform identically to their larger versions. N.B. A mini-HDMI to standard HDMI adapter is included with the Pi Zero from element14.
  • Micro USB: You'll notice there are two micro USB connectors on the Pi Zero. One is for data (the connector on the left, if the MicroSD card slot is on the left), and one is for power. Don't get them mixed up. A micro USB "On the Go" to USB adapter is included with the Pi Zero from element14 so you can connect a USB hub, and therefore all your peripherals (keyboard, mouse etc).
  • GPIO: The Pi Zero has the same 40 pin General Purpose Input/Output connections as the Model A+, B+ and RPi2, but the connector pins are unpopulated. So if you want to use the GPIO, you'll either have to solder the required pins in place, or solder your connections directly to the Pi Zero.
  • RUN Mode Pins: There are two unpopulated RUN mode pins, which can be used to connect a reset button to the Pi Zero. Again, you'll either have to add the pins yourself, or solder a button straight to the board.
  • Composite Video: Here's an interesting one. There's an RCA composited video output via two (unpopulated) pins, so you can hook the Pi Zero up to older display equipment that accepts a phono plug as an input. You can check out the RCA video output in use in our Raspberry Pi Zero Retro Gaming System project right here.

 

More about the Raspberry Pi Zero

Anonymous

  • Another advantage of the SD card is that the size of the card is not fixed at the design time. SD cards get bigger all the time, but the electrical interface stays the same. So in a few years, you can use your raspberry pi zero with the 1Tb micro SD that you got as  a free gift with the corn flakes....  :-)

     

    EDIT: PLEASE element14, fix your website software. When I follow the link you mailed to me to this page, I'm asked to log in. But the "log in" button is grayed out. Click cancel and I go somewhere else, go back here: discusssion is blacked out and I'm asked to log in again. Click cancel again, see that the top link there is pointing here... again please log in, with grayed out login button.

  • in reply to clem57

    I was responding to someone elses post who was suggesting removing the sd card reader and hdmi port completely and using the saved money to install onboard emmc. Just explaining my point of view why this would be a bad idea. (not that im against onboard emmc, just that the sd card reader has more uses right now)

  • in reply to seulater

    If you want emmc card try higher cost boards like the SnapDragon from Qualcomm.

    Clem

  • in reply to violet

    If we are taking about Pi Zero, what emmc are you taking about?

    Clem

  • in reply to seulater

    Just to clear this up and add my 2 cents worth....

     

    The hdmi connector is still essential in certain circumstances, if the pi is powered off incorrectly due to a power failure then some visual response is needed to remedy the failure, sometimes the operating system doesnt boot far enough to reach the networking stage so remotely trying to remedy faults in this situation are impossible.

     

    If the system was created with just an emmc rather than an sdcard then another connector would need to be added to be able to flash the emmc in case of system failure or just requiring a different operating system. Youve neither lost or gained a socket/connector all this would do is lose the simplicity of being able to make software updates on the card externally and then plug the updated system directly into the pi via the sd card. Not to mention getting data off the pi zero and into your computer easily.

  • in reply to arydeoliveira

    When/if any get manufactured. I think it is effectively "not for sale" currently. Some of the smaller vendors may have stock from time to time though, but it typically requires checking their twitter and other social feeds(!). Or use an alternative board that meets your needs.

  • I would like to know when we have raspberry PI zero to buy?

    Arybrown@me.com 

  • Well for a board that is considered by some as "a flop", or "useless", they sure are having a hard time keeping it in stock!!

    I think the idea is great and it puts a lot of horsepower into a small inexpensive board.  Just read up on it and know what you are buying and if you can't think of uses for it there's no reason to be critical - just don't buy it.  Leave them in stock for the rest of us.

  • in reply to Former Member

    No it's just the same socket but it only delivers power not USB data connection

  • in reply to Former Member

    I suppose 99% no, the same as the previous models of Raspberry PI.