“The original Pi Zero represented such extraordinary value when it was launched that even several years on, it is in short supply and demand outstrips production. A complete computer for under £5 with such high end specifications and a world of open source software and support on tap, it inspired many of us budding experimenters and enthusiasts to explore building projects and writing code. Of course in this modern age of wireless networking, it was almost imperative that you would need to add a wifi dongle and maybe even bluetooth to the Pi Zero for your project, adding not only to the basic cost but requiring an additional usb hub and wiring.
The Zero W introduced in 2016 now overcomes this minor hurdle by adding onboard wifi AND bluetooth for just a few pounds more than the standard Zero computer board. What's more the footprint remains the same and compatibility with the original Zero. There's also an onboard camera connector, something you may not have had if you had purchased the original Zero although I understand recent Zeros now have this additional connector. So in summary a complete single board computer with wireless networking, HDMI graphics and digital I/O for under a tenner! I just wish this was around in the 80s when I started programming my BBC Micro! Looking forward to the next update to the Zero though, if and when it arrives. I'm hoping for analogue audio in/out, an even faster CPU and who knows, maybe even some analogue in and out as well as the digital I/O! It's impossible not to give this amazing board 5 stars, it's versatility is only limited by your imagination. And where better to get it from but ThePiHut!”
