Raspberry Pi Zero W

What is Raspberry Pi Zero W

Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless) is a super cheap single board computer. Hey! With just below $50, you get a working computer, it is cheaper than any Arduino controller board with 32-bit processor, and it comes with WiFi and Bluetooth ready. Though is not a working computer yet, but at least you have the motherboard :) The new Raspberry Pi Zero W offers all the benefits of the Pi Zero v1.3, but with one big difference – built-in Wireless (WiFi and Bluetooth)! More specifically, this giant upgrade is the addition of a BCM43143 WiFi chip BUILT-IN to your Raspberry Pi Zero – just like the Pi 3! No more pesky WiFi adapters - this Pi is WiFi ready. There’s also Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on board making the Pi an excellent IoT solution (BLE support is still in the work, software-wise).

Raspberry Pi Zero W is a super-compact, hackable, and ultra-low cost computer, This is the version with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth.

With BCM 2835 (32-bit ARM based processor) SoC running at 1GHz, the raspberry pi zero is faster that Raspberry Pi 1. With mini-HDMI, micro-B OTG USB, and the same 40-pin GPIO it still has great connectivity although you'll probably need some accessories to help you hook it up to your existing devices.

The best part about all this is that the Pi Zero W keeps the same shape, connectors, and mounting holes as the Pi Zero v1.3. 99% of cases and accessories will still be fully compatible with both the Pi Zero W and v1.3 - though if you have a case with a metal top there might be some WiFi chip difficulties.

Yes, it is really attractive, but do bear in mind that you need additional accessories to get it running :At least USB adapter and microSD card is a must. So we recommend the starter kit with:

• 1 x Raspberry Pi Zero W
• 1 x Acrylic Case for Rpi Zero/Zero W  to protect the Raspberry Pi Zero W
• 1 x 8GB microSD card with SD card adapter (Raspberry Pi Brand)
• 1 x 5V 2.5A USB Adapter to power it
• 1 x Raspberry Pi Wire Kit:
  • 1 x HDMI mini to standard HDMI adapter/converter
  • 1 x USB OTG cable (USB MicroB to to USB Type A receptor)
  • 1 x 2x20 Header pin (For GPIO)

Features

• Processor: BCM 2835 SOC
• Clock speed: 1GHz
• RAM: 512MB
• Built-in Wireless: WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1 + BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), same as Raspberry Pi 3.
• Memory: micro-SD
• Display and Audio: mini-HDMI
• USB Port: micro-B USB for data
• Power input: micro-B USB for power
• Camera interface: CSI camera connector (needs adaptor cable, 0.5mm pitch to pitch CSI)
• GPIO: Unpopulated 40-pin GPIO connector, compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 and Raspberry Pi 3.
• Compatibility of GPIO: Compatible with existing HAT addons
• Dimensions: 65mm x 30mm x 5mm

For those that bought Raspberry Pi Zero or W and misses the accessories to get it up, here are our recommended stuff:

• A good quality 5V power supply - we suggest 5V 2.5A with cable - this will allow you to power the Zero from a wall adapter. It is not suggested to power the Zero from a computer USB port as the voltage often sags and can cause SD card corruption!
• 8GB+ microSD Card with Operating System - We do not sell this separately, you can get it easily from any PC or mobile phone store then burn in Raspbian Wheezy and update the firmware. Make sure you have the latest version!
• Mini HDMI to HDMI Adapter, or Mini HDMI to standand HDMI cable - Will let you convert the little port on the Zero to a standard sized HDMI jack. You can get 1080P HDMI video + audio out of this little computer!
• USB OTG Cable - Lets you plug in a normal USB device such as WiFi dongle, USB hub, keyboard, mouse, etc into the Zero.
• USB Console cable (UC00A or UC00C) - if you're not going to stick an HDMI monitor on there, then this is essential, you connect the wires to the GPIO pins and log in over a serial console. Its the easiest & fastest way to get on your Pi.
• 2x20 Male header strip - Solder this in to plug in Pi HATs, GPIO cables, etc as you would into a normal Pi. 

IoT Training with Raspberry Pi Zero W Course

Want to learn the basics of IoT Training with Raspberry Pi Zero W? Sign up for our IoT Training with Raspberry Pi Zero W (SkillsFuture Claim Eligible)