Raspberry Pi Model A+ Review
Switching Power Regulation
I was happy to see the improved power supply from the Raspberry Pi Model B+ made it into the Model A+ in an even easier to use form, due to not needing to set the USB current limit in software, and even more current being available for the USB port.
As you will see later, the switching power regulation has made the new Raspberry Pi Model A+ be the lowest power single board Raspberry Pi computer!
This is REALLY good for embedded / IoT battery powered applications!
Improved Audio Quality
Just like with the Model B+, the Model A+ improves the audio quality by adding a separate low noise power supply just for audio.
Improved Board Layout
The improved board layout introduced with the Raspberry Pi Model B+ is even more evident with the Raspberry Pi Model A+
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Regular mounting holes are great 🙂 and will help embed the Model A+
Existing add-on’s made for the original Model A and Model B 26 pin GPIO header and board style will look a bit strange on a Model A – but they will still work. As a matter of fact, with the reduction in height made possible by the elimination of the Ethernet jack, dual USB jacks and RCA jack, add-ons can now be mounted more snugly on top of the Model A+ allowing the construction of thinner projects.
I still don’t particularly like the four conductor 3.5mm headphone jack for combined audio and video, however as I have yet to use NTSC video from the Pi, or analog audio, it really makes little difference to me. The rounder PCB corners may save little fingers from being poked by sharp corners, but do increase PCB production time for board houses.
Software Compatibility
No LAN9514 – no software issues.
Frankly, the issues raised when the Model B+ was released were overblown, as in the vast majority of cases a simple update cycle took care of it.
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As I originally wrote in my Raspberry Pi Model B+ Review:
It is possible to use an existing, configured SD card from the previous Model A and Model B Raspberry Pi’s – BUT you must update & upgrade them as per the instructions from the Pi Foundation.It is possible to use an existing, configured SD card from the previous Model A and Model B Raspberry Pi’s – BUT you must update & upgrade them as per the instructions from the Pi Foundation.
Hardware Compatibility
I tested some Mikronauts products and five WiFi USB sticks for Raspberry Pi Model A+ Compatibility.
1) RoboPi advanced robot controller
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The mounting holes were different, and RoboPi was offset about 9mm and went past the A+ …Â but RoboPi still worked well with the Raspberry Pi Model A+ !
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(click here for the RoboPi product page)
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