Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 spotted at exhibition ahead of official launch

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) has been spotted in the wild. This unannounced compact-optimized version of the Pi 5 is apparently on show at the electronica 2024 show in Munich, which runs until tomorrow afternoon. Twitter / X user Fernando shared a photo of the CM5 plus a glimpse of its IO Board, quickly retweeted by eminent Pi-aficionado Jeff Geerling.

With this high-profile public showing of the CM5, it is probably fair to expect an imminent official launch, though Raspberry Pi has published no word on timing, availability, or other details. Reading through the source thread, we note that the compact new-generation Pi was on show at the Avnet booth, the owners of Pi distributors like Farnell, Newark, and element14. Eben Upton also made a special appearance at the Avnet booth on Wednesday.

We reviewed the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) in 2022, and the availability of the CM5 seems past due. Those familiar with the relationship between the full-sized Raspberry Pis and their CM brethren will not be surprised to see the new CM5 clearly packs the same Broadcom BCM2712 as the established Raspberry Pi 5, but what other key similarities are there, and how does it differ from the CM4? Hopefully, our table using info gleaned from electronica 2024 photos of the CM5 and IO Board will clear a few questions up.