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Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ — Compact Quad-Core Board with Dual-Band Wi-Fi
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ delivers the core performance of the 3B+ in a smaller, lighter form factor. You still get a 1.4 GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU, 512 MB RAM, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi‑Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2, but on a board with just one USB port and no Ethernet jack.
This makes the 3A+ perfect for embedded products, media players, and interactive installations where you want the power of a full Linux computer with excellent wireless performance, but don’t need lots of USB ports or wired networking.
Why pick the 3 Model A+
- Compact but capable: Same BCM2837B0 64-bit quad-core SoC as the 3B+ @ 1.4 GHz, with 512 MB RAM.
- Fast wireless on board: Dual-band 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 4.2/BLE for flexible connectivity.
- Simpler I/O layout: Single USB 2.0 port and no Ethernet help keep builds tidy and compact.
- Full Raspberry Pi ecosystem: 40-pin GPIO header, CSI/DSI connectors, and compatibility with many HATs and cases.
Project ideas and applications
- Wireless media players: Stream audio or video over Wi‑Fi to TVs, speakers, or displays.
- Interactive installations: Use HDMI, USB, and GPIO to drive kiosks, museum exhibits, and display walls.
- Headless wireless hubs: Small MQTT brokers, Home Assistant sidecars, or custom wireless gateways.
- Portable projects: Pair with a small battery pack and display for wireless handheld tools or test rigs.
Starter bundles
- 3A+ desktop starter: Board + 5 V PSU + case + 16 GB microSD card + HDMI cable.
- Wireless kiosk kit: 3A+ + HDMI display + case + keyboard/mouse + GPIO breakout.
- Camera & vision pack: 3A+ + Pi camera + flex cable + tripod or mounting hardware.
Recommended add-ons
- 5 V 2.5 A power supply to provide enough current for Wi‑Fi and USB peripherals.
- microSD card with Raspberry Pi OS or specialized media/IoT images.
- Raspberry Pi 3 A+ case or compatible enclosure with good airflow.
- Raspberry Pi HATs for relays, motor control, extra I/O, and sensors.
Technical specifications
| Processor | Broadcom BCM2837B0, quad-core Arm Cortex‑A53 64‑bit @ 1.4 GHz |
|---|---|
| Memory | 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM |
| Wireless | Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, BLE |
| Ethernet | None (use USB Ethernet adapter if wired networking is required) |
| USB | 1 × USB 2.0 port |
| Display | Full-size HDMI port; DSI display connector for official LCDs |
| Camera | CSI camera connector for official and third-party camera modules |
| Audio/Video | 3.5 mm AV jack for stereo audio and composite video |
| Storage | microSD card slot for boot and filesystem |
| GPIO | 40-pin header, 3.3 V logic, standard Raspberry Pi pinout |
| Power input | 5 V DC via micro-USB (2.5 A recommended) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 65 × 56 mm compact A+ form factor |
Pinout & power notes
- 3.3 V GPIO: Use level shifters when interfacing with 5 V sensors or logic.
- Power margin: Wi‑Fi peaks and USB devices draw from the same 5 V rail—size your PSU with some headroom.
- Thermal behavior: Under sustained CPU load a small heatsink or ventilated case is recommended.
What’s in the box
- 1 × Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ board
FAQ
- How is the 3A+ different from the 3B+?
- The 3A+ uses the same CPU and wireless chipset as the 3B+ but has 512 MB RAM instead of 1 GB, only one USB port, and no Ethernet. In exchange you get a smaller, lighter, and more power-efficient board.
- Can I still use Ethernet with this board?
- Yes. You can add a USB‑to‑Ethernet adapter on the single USB 2.0 port if you need wired networking for configuration or deployment.
- Is 512 MB of RAM enough?
- For many kiosk, media, and IoT applications it is. For heavy desktop workloads or many browser tabs, a newer Pi with more RAM is usually a better fit.
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Schools / class POs: we accept Purchase Orders for accredited schools and universities. contact us with your PO details.
Returns: 7-day inspection window for DOA units. Email proof of issue and we ship a replacement.
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