Raspberry Pi Press
The publishing division of Raspberry Pi Holdings, producing Raspberry Pi magazines and books for computing, electronics, programming, and maker audiences.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Raspberry Pi Press is the publishing division associated with Raspberry Pi Holdings and the publishing operation behind The MagPi, the Raspberry Pi Official Magazine, and related books. Its publications focus on the Raspberry Pi computer platform, programming, electronics, physical computing, education, digital making, and the wider maker movement. The operation combines free digital distribution with paid physical editions sold through online channels, retail outlets, and the official Raspberry Pi Store in Cambridge. The flagship publication began in May 2012 under the name The MagPi. It was created as a free online fanzine by members of the Raspberry Pi user community rather than as a conventional commercial magazine. Early issues relied heavily on community contributions, including tutorials, project instructions, news, and practical ideas for using Raspberry Pi computers. This origin gave the title an enthusiast-led character and helped it serve users who wanted accessible, hands-on guidance rather than only product announcements or formal technical documentation. In 2015, the magazine was brought into the Raspberry Pi Foundation's official publishing activities and began regular print circulation. The institutional transition expanded its production capacity and gave readers a physical edition while preserving free digital access. The magazine's editorial subject matter continued to center on Raspberry Pi hardware and software, but it also covered general electronics, coding, robotics, retro computing, home automation, creative projects, and other areas relevant to makers and educators. Raspberry Pi Press broadened its publishing portfolio beyond the magazine. It produces Raspberry Pi-related books addressing programming, electronics, physical computing, and practical project development. These publications are designed to support learners and hobbyists at different levels, with an emphasis on projects that can be followed using affordable hardware and widely available components. The press also became associated with HackSpace Magazine, launched in December 2017 for the broader global hackerspace and maker community. HackSpace ended after issue 81 in August 2024, after which Raspberry Pi Press said that additional pages would be added to The MagPi to accommodate stories and tutorials that had previously appeared in HackSpace. The flagship title underwent a major naming change in March 2025. Beginning with issue 151, The MagPi was renamed The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine. The change made the publication's official relationship with the Raspberry Pi ecosystem more explicit while retaining continuity with the established MagPi readership and editorial mission. Raspberry Pi Press operates as a specialist technology publisher rather than a mass-market magazine house. Its value proposition is closely tied to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem: it helps users discover projects, learn technical skills, understand new hardware and software, and participate in a broader community of makers. As of 2024, Raspberry Pi Holdings reported US$1.2 million in publishing revenue, and sixteen employees were involved in communications and publishing, with approximately five full-time employees working exclusively for the publishing arm. These figures indicate a focused publishing operation within the larger Raspberry Pi group rather than an independently listed media company.
History
Raspberry Pi Press developed from the Raspberry Pi community's need for accessible, practical educational material. Its best-known publication, The MagPi, first appeared in May 2012 as a free online magazine produced by members of the Raspberry Pi user community. The early publication functioned as a volunteer-led fanzine, collecting user-submitted tutorials, news, experiments, and project guides. Its editorial approach reflected the character of the emerging Raspberry Pi ecosystem: low-cost computing, experimentation, programming education, electronics, and projects that could be built by hobbyists, students, and educators. Early commentary recognized the publication's usefulness but also noted the limitations of its first period. LinuxNov described it as informative and helpful, while I Programmer regarded the project as commendable despite the relatively limited amount of material available during a period when Raspberry Pi hardware was difficult to obtain. A Wall Street Journal review identified a nostalgic quality in the magazine and questioned how strongly that style would appeal to newer audiences. These assessments reflected the transition from a small community fanzine to a more established technology publication. In 2015, the magazine was brought into the official activities of the Raspberry Pi Foundation and began regular print circulation. This change marked the foundation of the publishing operation later known as Raspberry Pi Press. The title retained digital distribution at no charge while adding physical issues available through online sales and retail channels. The official publishing structure enabled more consistent editorial production and connected the magazine directly with the wider Raspberry Pi organization, while its content continued to draw on the community's project-driven culture. Raspberry Pi Press expanded beyond a single magazine. Its book program covered programming, electronics, physical computing, and related Raspberry Pi applications. The books and magazine issues were intended to be practical rather than purely promotional, offering tutorials, project walkthroughs, explanations of technology, and ideas for classroom or home use. Publications were made available digitally for free, with printed copies sold through online outlets, retail locations, and the official Raspberry Pi Store in Cambridge after the store opened in early 2019. The press also sought to address the broader maker movement. In December 2017 it launched HackSpace Magazine, a title designed around hackerspaces, fabrication, creative technology, and the international maker community. HackSpace gave Raspberry Pi Press a platform for subjects that extended beyond the Raspberry Pi computer itself. The magazine continued until issue 81 in August 2024. Following its discontinuation, Raspberry Pi Press stated that it would expand The MagPi with additional pages so that stories and tutorials formerly associated with HackSpace could continue within the remaining flagship publication. A further change came in March 2025, when issue 151 appeared under the name The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine. The renaming clarified the title's institutional status and its role as the official magazine of the Raspberry Pi ecosystem. Although the name changed, the publication retained the continuity of The MagPi brand and its focus on tutorials, projects, news, programming, electronics, and practical computing. Raspberry Pi Press now operates as a specialist publishing arm within Raspberry Pi Holdings. It is not presented as a separately listed media company, and its output remains closely connected to Raspberry Pi hardware, software, education, and community activity. Its hybrid model—free digital access combined with paid print editions and books—supports broad international reach while maintaining physical products for collectors, classrooms, libraries, and readers who prefer print. In 2024, the parent company reported US$1.2 million in publishing revenue. Sixteen employees were identified as working across communications and publishing, including approximately five full-time employees assigned exclusively to the publishing arm. This suggests a compact but established operation whose principal role is to educate, document, and strengthen participation in the Raspberry Pi and maker communities.
- 2025
The MagPi is renamed The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine
[1]Issue 151 marked the change from The MagPi to The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine.
- 2024
HackSpace concludes publication
[1]HackSpace Magazine ended after issue 81 in August. Raspberry Pi Press planned to incorporate relevant stories and tutorials into expanded issues of The MagPi.
- 2019
Raspberry Pi Store opens in Cambridge
[1]The official Raspberry Pi Store in Cambridge opened in early 2019 and became an additional retail location for Raspberry Pi Press publications.
- 2017
HackSpace Magazine launches
[1]Raspberry Pi Press launched HackSpace Magazine in December to serve a broader hackerspace and maker audience.
- 2015
The magazine enters official Raspberry Pi publishing
[1]The MagPi was brought in-house as part of the Raspberry Pi Foundation's official activities and began regular print circulation.
- 2012
The MagPi begins as a community online magazine
[1]The first issue of The MagPi was published in May as a free online fanzine created by Raspberry Pi users, featuring community tutorials, news, and projects.
Products and positioning
A specialist, community-oriented technology publisher providing practical Raspberry Pi, programming, electronics, and maker content through free digital editions and paid print publications.
Technology magazine · 2012
The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine
The flagship Raspberry Pi Press magazine, originally launched in 2012 as The MagPi. It publishes Raspberry Pi news, tutorials, programming guidance, electronics projects, physical-computing ideas, and maker features. The title began as a community-produced digital fanzine, later became an official Raspberry Pi publication with regular print circulation, and adopted its current name from issue 151 in March 2025. Digital editions are available free, while printed copies are sold through online and retail channels.
Technical and educational books
Raspberry Pi books
Raspberry Pi Press publishes books covering programming, electronics, physical computing, and practical project development. The books extend the instructional role of the magazine and are aimed at hobbyists, learners, educators, and makers who want more structured or sustained guidance than a single magazine feature can provide. Like the magazine, the books are distributed in digital and physical formats.
Maker magazine · 2017
HackSpace Magazine
HackSpace Magazine was a Raspberry Pi Press title focused on the wider hackerspace and maker community. Its coverage extended beyond Raspberry Pi-specific subjects to include creative technology, fabrication, electronics, and projects associated with global maker culture. The publication ended after issue 81 in August 2024, with some of its editorial territory transferred to expanded issues of The MagPi.
Brand decisions
2025
Rename The MagPi as The Raspberry Pi Official MagazineGeneration changeBackground
The MagPi had operated for more than a decade and had become the principal magazine associated with the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
Action taken
Beginning with issue 151 in March 2025, the publication adopted the name The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine.
Aftermath
The new name more directly communicates the publication's official status while retaining continuity with the established MagPi series.
2024
Consolidate HackSpace content into The MagPiStrategyBackground
HackSpace Magazine was discontinued after issue 81 in August 2024.
Action taken
Raspberry Pi Press said it would add pages to The MagPi to make room for stories and tutorials that would previously have appeared in HackSpace.
Aftermath
The decision concentrated Raspberry Pi Press's magazine activity around its flagship title while preserving a route for broader maker coverage.
2015
Bring The MagPi into official publishing operationsStrategyBackground
The MagPi began as a volunteer-produced online community fanzine. In 2015, the publication was brought in-house as part of the Raspberry Pi Foundation's official activities.
Action taken
Raspberry Pi formalized the magazine within its publishing operation and began regular print circulation while continuing digital availability.
Aftermath
The move established the foundation for Raspberry Pi Press and gave the title a more consistent institutional publishing model.
Recent events
- 2025
The MagPi becomes The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine[1]
Product generation · Product launch
Beginning with issue 151, the long-running publication The MagPi adopted the name The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine, making its formal connection to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem more explicit.
- 2025
The MagPi renamed The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine[1]
Product generation
Starting with issue 151 in March 2025, The MagPi adopted the name The Raspberry Pi Official Magazine, clarifying its formal relationship with the Raspberry Pi organization.
- 2024
HackSpace Magazine ends after issue 81[1]
Other
HackSpace Magazine was discontinued after issue 81 in August 2024. Raspberry Pi Press said that material previously planned for HackSpace would be accommodated through additional pages in The MagPi.
- 2024
Raspberry Pi Holdings reports publishing revenue[1]
Other
Raspberry Pi Holdings reported US$1.2 million in publishing revenue for 2024. The same reference described sixteen employees as working in communications and publishing, including approximately five full-time employees dedicated exclusively to the publishing arm.
- 2024
HackSpace Magazine discontinued after issue 81[1]
Other
Raspberry Pi Press ended HackSpace Magazine after its August 2024 issue and said that additional pages in The MagPi would accommodate stories and tutorials previously intended for HackSpace.
- 2017
Raspberry Pi Press launches HackSpace Magazine[1]
Product launch
Raspberry Pi Press introduced HackSpace Magazine as a publication aimed at the wider international hackerspace and maker community, extending its publishing activity beyond Raspberry Pi-specific coverage.
Sources1 sources
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