The recent launch of the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W at $7 has generated significant community discussion, particularly regarding its technical limitations and potential applications. While the new board promises enhanced capabilities with the RP2350 microcontroller, community members have raised important considerations about existing hardware issues and its suitability for different user groups.
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| The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W is stirring discussions within the electronics community, showcasing its potential despite some concerns |
Unresolved GPIO Bug Concerns
A significant point of discussion centers around an unresolved GPIO issue in the RP2350 chip. Community members have referenced a documented bug that affects GPIO functionality, with no clear timeline for resolution. While this issue primarily impacts custom PCB designs rather than standard breadboard projects, it represents a continuing challenge for professional developers and hardware engineers working with the platform.
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| The Raspberry Pi community is actively addressing concerns, including a GPIO bug in the new Pico 2 W model |
Beginner Accessibility and Use Cases
The community has extensively discussed the Pico 2 W's role as an entry point for electronics enthusiasts. Unlike its full-fledged Raspberry Pi counterparts, the Pico 2 W operates as a microcontroller with limited resources - 520 KB of RAM compared to the gigabytes available in standard Raspberry Pi boards. However, this limitation doesn't necessarily diminish its value for specific projects.
For perspective, the original Apple II computer typically had 48KB RAM, a 140KB floppy disk, and a 1MHz CPU. Yet it ran VisiCalc (the first popular spreadsheet program), Bank Street Writer (a marvelously easy-to-use word processor), and plenty of now-classic video games.
Market Position and Availability
The Pico 2 W's $7 price point positions it competitively against alternatives like the ESP32, which typically sells for around $5. Community members have noted that unlike some other Raspberry Pi products, the Pico series has maintained consistent availability through authorized resellers at the recommended retail price. This accessibility, combined with superior documentation compared to competitors, makes it an attractive option for both hobbyist and professional projects.
Development Environment and Programming Options
For beginners, the board offers accessibility through MicroPython, a simplified version of Python suitable for microcontroller programming. This makes it particularly appealing for projects involving sensor reading, LED control, and basic IoT applications. More experienced developers can utilize C/C++ for more complex applications, though the community eagerly awaits potential TinyGO support.
The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W represents a significant step forward in accessible microcontroller development, despite some technical limitations. Its success will likely depend on how the Raspberry Pi Foundation addresses current issues and continues to support the growing ecosystem of developers and makers.
Reference: Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W on sale now at $7