Raspberry Pi B+ , $60 & free shipping

[ssfc72]

The new version of the Raspberry Pi, is available for $60 at Amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/RS-Components-Raspberry-Model-Motherboard/dp/B07BFH96M3/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1521605958&sr=8-9&keywords=raspberry+Pi+b%2B

Features -
1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU (BCM2837B0), 1 GB RAM
Dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Low Energy
PoE HAT support, Camera interface (CSI), Display interface (DSI), 40 GPIO Pins

[Jason]

After trying to figure out the differences from the specs (between RPi 3 B and B+), I found a blog post that explains it:

   
• A 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
• Dual-band 802.11ac wireless LAN and Bluetooth 4.2
• Faster Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet over USB 2.0)
• Power-over-Ethernet support (with separate PoE HAT)
• Improved PXE network and USB mass-storage booting
• Improved thermal management

Alongside a 200MHz increase in peak CPU clock frequency, we have roughly three times the wired and wireless network throughput, and the ability to sustain high performance for much longer periods.

Source: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-3-model-bplus-sale-now-35/

[fox]

Nice to see that they're improving the pi and keeping the price the same. I considered getting this new one, but it doesn't  improve the pi 3 enough to make me replace mine. The RAM is still 1gb, and a 15% speed improvement isn't going to be that noticeable. I read somewhere that RAM and speed upgrades are being held back by processor and heat issues.

Incidentally, it's the Pi 3 B+.

[Jason]

I agree, Fox. If you already have the RPi 3 B, it's not going to be that a big deal except if you need higher network throughput. The blog article shows some speed differences and it's quite substantial. And I suppose if you have such congestion or stone walls in your house, that you need dual band wireless, it might be worthwhile. Amazing that it's already been 2 years since the RPi 3 first came out.

[ssfc72]

Or if you have a microwave oven that knocks you off the 2GHz wifi Band, then the 5GHz wifi Band would be nice to have. :-)

"I agree, Fox. If you already have the RPi 3 B, it's not going to be that a big deal except if you need higher network throughput."