Raspberry Pi Launches $40 5-Inch Touchscreen for DIY Projects
▼ Summary
– Raspberry Pi has launched a 5-inch Touch Display 2, a 720p IPS multi-touch screen with native OS support and mounting holes for easy integration.
– The new screen costs $40 and is available now from select retailers, though some may list it above the MSRP.
– The capacitive touchscreen works seamlessly with full Linux driver support, requiring no manual setup or calibration.
– It is a smaller, more affordable version of the 7-inch Pi Touch Display 2, with slightly narrower viewing angles (80° vs. 85°).
– Both screens are compatible with most Pi boards since 2014 (excluding Pi Zero) and connect via GPIO power and a DSI ribbon cable.
Raspberry Pi has unveiled an affordable 5-inch touchscreen display designed specifically for DIY enthusiasts and makers. Priced at just $40, the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 features a crisp 720p IPS panel with multi-touch capabilities, making it ideal for building compact, interactive projects. The screen comes pre-configured for seamless integration with Raspberry Pi OS, eliminating the need for complicated driver installations or manual calibration.
Available now through authorized retailers like CanaKit and Vilros, the display includes convenient mounting holes on the back, allowing users to easily incorporate it into custom enclosures. Raspberry Pi’s software CTO, Gordon Hollingworth, emphasized the plug-and-play nature of the device, noting that it works flawlessly with Linux right out of the box, no frustrating tweaks required.
This new 5-inch model serves as a more compact alternative to the 7-inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2, which launched in late 2023 for $60. While both screens share the same 720p resolution, the larger version offers slightly better viewing angles at 85 degrees compared to the 5-inch screen’s 80 degrees. Both displays are compatible with most Raspberry Pi boards released since 2014, excluding the Raspberry Pi Zero. Power is drawn directly from the GPIO header, while video signals are transmitted via a ribbon cable connected to the DSI port.
For hobbyists looking to build touch-enabled gadgets, from smart mirrors to portable gaming consoles, this budget-friendly display provides a hassle-free solution with professional-grade performance.
(Source: Ars Technica)
