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Waveshare’s new PCIe to M.2 multifunction adapter for the Raspberry Pi 5 is a $10 accessory that’s basically an updated version of last year’s HDMI adapter. Like its predecessor, it’s a small board that plugs into the USB and micro HDMI ports on the side of Raspberry Pi’s single-board computer, allowing you to use cables with full-sized HDMI connectors.
But the new model has another trick up its sleeve: run a ribbon cable from the FPC port on the Raspberry Pi 5 to the new adapter board and you also get an M.2 connector that you can use for a PCIe NVMe SSD or other add-ons.
The adapter board is pretty compact, so it only has enough room for an M.2 2242 or M.2 2230 card. But while that will limit your choice of SSDs, AI accelerators, and other M.2 cards, Waveshare notes that the M.2 slot is otherwise fully functional: it supports PCIe 2.0 or PCIe 3.0 modes and you can install an operating system on an SSD and use it as a boot device for a Raspberry Pi 5.
The board measures 85 x 34mm (3.34 x 1.34″) and in addition to HDMI and USB ports it features a screw terminal that can be used for 5V power input (or you can use the USB-C port), as well as a 3-pin 5V power output and UART pins.
via CNX Software
I get it that people are thinking up/designing Adapter Boards but since getting a Sunfounder Pironman Clear Case, every other add-on board is just another modification of an already stellar product.
It’s GREAT to see a $10 Raspberry Pi Adapter BUT a proper case that will accept the Pi Adapter would be best!
Is that one of the reasons why Raspberry Pi prices have been going up constantly over the years? Aside from scalpers buying them up like candy that is.
Dammit I wish we could edit our comments posted on here, I meant this as a reply to Ali’s comment about Raspberry Pi’s being used in digital signage…
Scrolling so fast I thought it read. “Waveshare’s new PCIe to M.2 malfunction adapter”
i wouldve preferred just a single hdmi port instead of raspberry pi repeatedly insisting upon micro HDMI for reasons i can only assume are because they’re cheaper since nobody fkin uses them; particularly nowadays when usb-c dp out is an option on most devices
The reason for micro hdmi is because they want TWO display output since the Pi also turned into a huge commercial market for use in digital signage where it is driving dual-display setups. They weren’t about to produce 2 different boards and risk complicating manufacturing logistics. Real money talks and sets the specs.
My mini ports are very sensitive to how the cable weight and positions. It is difficult to get the cable situated so that a single will reach a monitor. I’m hoping this board will give stability to the ports. Is it common for the mini HDMI to have this issue? I wonder if my ports are damaged.
I mean a signal, not single.