Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+

When you think of computers, the image of large computer cases filled with components almost always comes to mind. However, The Raspberry Pi Foundation have proven once again that computers don’t actually need to be large, with the introduction of their most recent Single-Board-Computer; the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+.

This time, however, The Raspberry Pi Foundation decided that instead of simply inventing a new board with new features, they would rather utilise all of the feedback they’ve gotten from users, manufacturers and developers, to hone in on and improve the features that people love most – like the integrated WiFi, ethernet speed capabilities, as well as a plethora of other minor features. This has resulted in one of the most impressive Raspberry Pi Boards to date, with an almost unreasonable number of great features, all integrated to work perfectly together – while accommodating a large majority of the Raspberry Pi Accessories and peripherals that you’ve been collecting over the years!

Another amazing aspect of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is that the Pi Foundation have ensured – even stating within the production manual – that the board will continue to be manufactured and supported until at least January 2023. This, albeit not an actual feature, is very comforting for users who are utilising these boards for industrial and professional use, as they will be able to rely on full support and accessibility of the ‘parts’ they need to keep their business running and clients happy.

Typical Applications for the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+:

Suggesting use cases or great applications for the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ can be as strenuous as trying to list the number of different use cases for a computer – which are of course almost endless. However, to give you a good start on what kinds of projects to begin researching for your new little SBC (Single-Board-Computer), we at DIYElectronics were particularly eager to try our hands at the following exciting projects:

• Building an Encryption Tor Router that keeps your web traffic securely secret from prying eyes, or a DNS server – amusingly called the “Pi-Hole” – that connects to your router and externally blocks all incoming traffic from advertising networks like AdServe from ever even reaching your devices.
• Extend the range of your WiFi network with the “Pi-Point” external access point, either in conjunction with the above projects, or simply to offer easier access to a wireless network at home or work.
• Making your own “Raspberry Pi Owncloud” for personal cloud data storage – capable of being connected or disconnected via an online-accessible relay of course – which can even act as a media centre or “Raspberry Pi Thin Client” that streams stored data or live video and audio from a different PC, TV or almost any other source.

As per usual, The Raspberry Pi Foundation has spurred a rush of interest here in South Africa, where these kinds of technologies open up an endless number of opportunities for companies, brands, individuals and even university groups to take advantage of. From basic operations like inter-office screen sharing, all the way through to advanced multi-Pi crypto mining farms, there are few devices that can offer the sheer power and functionality of Raspberry Pi’s – while maintaining an enticingly affordable price.

Additional Resources:

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Datasheet
• A great list of Fun Pi 3B+ Projects to explore
• Another list of Complex Pi 3B+ Projects to try your hand at

The primary aim of The Raspberry Pi Foundation is to enable people from all walks of life to understand, learn and develop our digital world with ideas that actually matter to them. Their single-board computers are designed with an open-source style, while being both easy to use and versatile. This allows people to build their own systems to cater to unique problems within their environment, while allowing them to share with and learn from others who are building similar types of systems – growing and developing the open-source movement in every step of the way.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation also takes their initiative a step further by building accessories like cameras, control interfaces and other products that can be seamlessly integrated into projects, made with high quality components but without the unnecessary frills that many brands choose to add on for “extra value”. This “no frills” approach makes their products more affordable while catering to consumers throughout the world, regardless of their financial condition. In doing so, people in almost any situation can use these products to improve their lives, better the world around them, and help develop both their local communities, as well as online communities of Makers.

Finally, like the cherry (or perhaps raspberry) on top of an already-great Sundae, The Raspberry Pi Foundation utilises the profits that they make to sponsor and host outreach and education efforts, with the intent to help people by making computing and digital development more accessible. They train educators and offer free resources online for people to learn from, giving consumers the power to change the world around them, and ultimately do their small part in developing the ever-expanding digital world too.