What is the Pi Zero W?
If you didn’t think that the Raspberry Pi Zero could possibly get any better, then boy do we have a pleasant surprise for you! The new Raspberry Pi Zero W offers all the benefits of the Pi Zero v1.3, but with one big difference – built-in WiFi!
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 works, software-wise).
Why can’t I purchase more than one at a time?
Because everyone wants one and we want as many people as possible to get a chance to purchase them instead of all of them ending up on eBay for more $.
How do I know when they’re in stock?
Sign up on the product page to receive an email once they’re in stock. There are tens of thousands of sign ups and we try to notify people in order of when they signed up so folks actually have a chance to get a Pi Zero W.
Why are there packs sometimes with the Pi Zero W even when there aren’t any Pi Zero Ws in stock?
We try to balance the demand on packs and individual boards as best as possible. The Pi Zero W really is a barebones computer and we think you definitely need accessories to make projects and help the Pi Zero reach its full potential. For that reason, we want to balance our stock between folks who are just starting out (who should likely buy a pack) and other folks who are looking to just get more Pi Zeroes.
Why are there delays on shipping the Pi Zero W?
They’re very, very popular! Our team is shipping them as fast as possible.
Why did I get a back in stock notification email when the product page is still showing that it is out of stock?
Due to high demand, between the time that you were notified and when you tried to make a purchase, it went out of stock. If you want to stay informed, please sign-up on the product page to be notified via email when the product is available again.
What accessories do you recommend using with the Pi Zero W?
Please note – even though there’s built-in WiFi, the Pi Zero W is quite minimal and requires a few accessories to turn it into a computer! At a minimum we recommend:
- A good quality 5V power supply – Either a 5V 2A with cable or combine a 5V 1A power supply and a Micro B USB cable – this will allow you to power the Zero from a wall adaper. It is not suggested to power the Zero from a computer USB port as the voltage often sags and can cause SD card corruption!
- You can pick up an 8G card with NOOBS 2.0 You will want to grab the latest version of NOOBS from the Raspberry Pi Foundation to make sure you have the latest firmware and kernel support… Linux support for the Raspberry Pi Zero W is changing rapidly!! Or use a blank 4G SD card and burn in Raspbian Jessie and update the firmware. Make sure you have the latest version!
- Mini HDMI to HDMI Adapter – 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 – 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
- 2×20 Male header strip – Solder this in to plug in Pi HATs, GPIO cables, etc as you would into a normal Pi. (We also have a 2×20 Female and 2×20 Female right-angle style for more exotic connecting)
To keep the price and size as small as possible, there is a spot on the Zero for a 2×20 pin header. This header is not included or soldered on. Creative individuals can easily solder in a set of 2×20 male header strip so you can plug in any sort of Pi HAT or other plug-in topper. Or, go with a 2×20 female header and plug the Pi Zero directly into an Adafruit Cobbler or T-Cobbler.
We also strongly recommend some other parts and pieces to make your Pi Zero computing experience easier:
- Adafruit Pi Zero Enclosure – Adafruit’s classic, sturdy plastic enclosure. Keeps your Pi Zero safe and sleek.
- Pi Zero Protector – Keep your Pi Zero safe while handling with this simple sandwich-style acrylic case.
- USB Powered Hub – So you can plug in any kind of USB devices without overloading the Zero’s power supply. (You can also, ironically, power the Zero from the hub itself by plugging in a micro USB cable into the hub)
- Mini Wireless Keyboard w/Trackpad – Requires only one USB port, which makes it a great match for the Pi Zero
- Wireless Keyboard + Mouse set – Also requires only one USB port, but for everyday use.
- Pi Cobbler or T-Cobbler – When paired with the male or female 2×20 pin header, you can use your Zero with a breadboard to connect sensors, LEDs, motors and more!
- Ethernet Hub and USB Hub w/ Micro USB OTG Connector – One can never have enough socks, or USB ports. Add some more USB and Ethernet capability to your Raspberry Pi Zero if you’re an Ethernet enthusiast!
