Innovation

Raspberry Pi alternatives: The most recent boards available to buy

By // October 24, 2018, 4:16 AM PST // nickjheath

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  • Raspberry Pi with a twist

    As versatile as the $35 Raspberry Pi is, it is just one of many single-board computers available to buy today.

    The Pi strikes a fine balance between performance, price, and usability, but leaves plenty of room for other boards to tweak that formula.

    This Fall has seen the release of a swathe of new boards, some ramping up the price to add PC-like features -- such support for fast SSD storage and Intel Core processors -- while others trim specs to cut costs.

    These boards are generally aimed at software developers, hardware hackers and tech enthusiasts working on projects like home media servers. However, it's worth pointing out that few boards are as accessible or offer the same breadth of stable software as the Pi.

    This gallery is also available as a single-page article.

    Click through this gallery to see the most interesting single-board computers revealed or released in recent months.

    Image: Raspberry Pi Foundation

  • La Frite

    What it offers

    The $15 La Frite comes close to matching the $35 Pi 3 B+ in some key respects, using the same underlying Arm-based CPU and even offering faster DDR4 memory.

    On paper, the La Frite also promises comparable video playback performance to the Pi 3 B+, can output to 1080p displays via HDMI 1.4, and offers two USB 2.0 ports.

    As you'd expect there are various cutbacks. The board is missing the Pi 3 B+'s Wi-Fi support, offers a slightly slower wired Ethernet connection, and has a slightly slower processor.

    Specs

    CPU: Quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex A53 CPU @ 1.2GHz

    GPU: Mali-450

    Memory: 512MB / 1GB DDR4 @ 2400MHz

    Display: HDMI 1.4 with 1080P output

    Connectivity: 100MB Ethernet

    Ports: USB 2.0 host, USB 2.0 OTG

    Misc: IR sensor, 128Mb SPI NOR

    Where to buy

    The board is available to buy here for $15.

    Image: Libre Computer Project

  • NanoPi NEO4

    What it offers

    The cheapest six-core single-board computer to be released, boasting relatively modern features like USB 3.0 and support for 4K displays.

    But there's a catch, the board may only cost $45, only $10 more than the Raspberry Pi 3 B+, but it only comes with 1GB of memory, has slower Wi-Fi, and fewer Type-A USB ports.

    If you can work within limitations of the memory, the board also supports reasonably fast data transfer via its USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as one USB 2.0 Type-C port. Additionally, there's potential for adding fast SSD storage via a PCIe x2 interface and 4K video out via HDMI 2.0.

    Specs

    CPUModel: Rockchip RK3399
    Number of Cores: big.LITTLE, 64-bit Dual Core Cortex-A72 + Quad Core Cortex-A53
    Frequency: Cortex-A72(up to 2.0GHz), Cortex-A53(up to 1.5GHz)
    GPUMali-T864 GPU，supports OpenGL ES1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, OpenVG1.1, OpenCL, DX11, and AFBC
    VPU4K VP9 and 4K 10bits H265/H264 60fps decoding, Dual VOP, etc
    Memory1GB DDR3-1866
    StorageeMMC: no Onboard eMMC, but has a eMMC socketMicroSD Slot: MicroSD*1 for external storage up to 128GB
    ConnectivityGbps Ethernet
    WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n,
    Bluetooth 4.0 combo module
    Antenna*1: IPX Connector
    AudioAudio Output: HDMI
    Video Inputone 4-Lane MIPI-CSI, up to 13MPix/s
    Video OutputHDMI*1: HDMI 2.0a, supports 4K@60Hz，HDCP 1.4/2.2
    USB1x USB 3.0 Type-A ports
    1xUSB Type-C*1 - supports USB2.0 OTG and power input
    2xUSB 2.0: USB 2.0 Host, one is Type-A, the other is 2.54mm header
    Pin-headerGPIO1: 40pin2 X 3V I2C, 1x 3V UART/SPI, 1 x SPDIF_TX, up to 8 x 3V GPIOsPCIe x2PWM x1, PowerKeyGPIO2:1 x 1.8V 8ch-I2SGPIO3:debug uart, 3V level, 1500000bpsUSB 2.0 x1
    LEDPower LED(Red)*1GPIO Controlled LED(Green)*1
    OthersRTC Battery: 2 Pin 2.54mm pitch through-hole padWorking Temperature: -20℃ to 70℃
    PowerDC 5V/3A

    Where to buy

    Available here for $45.

    Image: FriendlyElec

  • NanoPi M4

    What it offers

    The NanoPi M4 is almost double the price the $35 Raspberry Pi but ups its specs across the board.

    Notable features include four USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, 2GB DDR3 memory, a six-core processor, support for 4K displays and hardware-accelerated 4K video playback, and 64 general-purpose input-output (GPIO) pins for hooking up hardware. It also includes an interface that supports two 13-megapixel cameras.

    While the Pi supports a far wider range of operating systems, the NanoPi M4 is listed as supporting Android 7.1, alongside Ubuntu 18.04 Desktop and Ubuntu Core.

    It's worth noting that some users of recent NanoPi boards have also encountered driver problems and system setup issues, so this board and the NEO4 may be for the more technically proficient.

    Specs

    CPU Model: Rockchip RK3399

    Cores: Six cores, 2GHz 64-bit dual-core Cortex-A72 and 1.5GHz quad-core Cortex-A53

    GPU Mali-T864, supports OpenGL ES1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, OpenVG1.1, OpenCL, DX11, and AFBC
    Supported codecs 4K VP9 and 4K 10bits H265/H264 60fps decoding, Dual VOP
    Memory Dual-channel 4GB LPDDR3-1866 (for an additional $30) or dual-channel 2GB DDR3-1866
    Storage eMMC: no Onboard eMMC, but has a eMMC socketMicroSD

    Slot: MicroSD for external storage up to 128GB

    Connectivity Ethernet: Native Gbps Ethernet

    WiFi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo module, dual antenna interface

    Audio 3.5mm dual-channel headphone jack, or HDMI

    Audio Input: microphone input interface

    Video Input One or two four-Lane MIPI-CSI, dual ISP, up to 13MPix/s, supports simultaneous input of dual camera data
    Video Output HDMI 2.0a, supports 4K@60Hz, HDCP 1.4/2.24-Lane MIPI-DSI*1
    USB 4 x USB 3.0 Type-A ports

    USB Type-C: Supports USB2.0 OTG and Power input

    2 x USB Host, included in GPIO2 2.54mm pitch pin header

    Pin-headers 40-pin GPIO, 2.54mm pitch pin-header

    3 x 3V/1.8V I2C, up to 1 x 3V UART, 1 x 3V SPI, 1 x SPDIF_TX, up to 8 x 3V GPIOs, 1.8V 8 channels I2S

    24-pin GPIO, 2.54mm pitch pin-header

    2 x independent native USB 2.0 Host interfaces, PCIe x2, PWM, PowerKey

    Serial Debug Port: 2.54mm pitch four-pin-header, 3V level, 1500000bps

    LED Power LED(Red), GPIO Controlled LED(Green)
    Others RTC: Two-pin 1.27/1.25mm RTC battery input connector. Working Temperature: -20℃ to 70℃
    Power DC 5V/3A

    Where to buy

    Available to buy here for $65.

    Image: FriendlyElec

  • LattePanda Alpha

    What it offers

    Not a Pi competitor, but the $358 LattePanda Alpha does use the same class of Intel processor as found in the $1,200 12-inch MacBook.

    The board's high price buys you PC-like specs, including 8GB of DDR3 memory and 64GB of fast eMMC v5.0 Flash storage, alongside Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, 4K video out and dual M.2 connectors that could be used for hooking up fast NVMe SSD storage.

    The board is available with Windows 10 Pro, which pushes the price up to $398, as well as being compatible with a broad range of Linux-based operating systems. The Alpha also has 2 x 50-pin headers for hooking up hardware, as well as an Arduino Leonardo co-processor.

    Specs

    CPU：Intel 7th Gen Core m3-7y30

    Core：1.6-2.6GHz Dual-Core，Four-Thread

    Graphics：Intel HD Graphics 615, 300-900MHz

    RAM：8GB LPDDR3 1866MHz Dual-Channel

    Connectors: 1x M.2 M Key, PCIe 4x, supports NVMe SSD and SATA SSD. 1x M.2 E Key, PCIe 2x，supports USB2.0, UART, PCM

    Connectivity： WIFI 802.11 AC, 2.4G & 5G Dual Band. Bluetooth 4.2. Gigabyte Ethernet

    USB Ports： 3x USB 3.0 Type A. 1x USB Type C, supports PD, DP, USB 3.0

    Display： HDMI Output Type-C DP Support Extendable eDP touch displays

    Co-processor：Arduino Leonardo

    GPIO & other features：2x 50 GPIOs including I2C, I2S, USB, RS232, UART, RTC. Power Management. Extendable power button

    OS：Windows 10 Pro, various Linux

    Where to buy

    Available here from $358.

    Image: LattePanda

  • Odroid-H2

    What it offers

    With specs more akin to a low-end PC, the Odroid-H2 will almost certainly cost more than the $35 Raspberry Pi 3 B+.

    As an x86 Intel Celeron based board it can run a wider range of Linux-based operating systems than a typical Arm-based, single-board computer.

    Its specs stand out from the crowd too, with the ability to add fast SSD storage via its 4 x PCIe 2.0 NMVe interface and SATA 3.0 ports, and support for up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. Additionally, there is fast network connectivity via the two gigabit Ethernet ports, although no mention of Wi-Fi support. However, while Odroid boards have a good reputation for software support, this board doesn't appear to be targeting hardware hackers, with only a 20-pin expansion header.

    The board's 2.3GHz Intel J4105 processor -- a "Gemini Lake" system-on-a-chip dating from 2017 -- is also faster than the Arm Cortex A53 / A72-based CPUs found in recent SBCs.

    Specs

    CPU: 2.3Ghz Quad-core processor J4105 (14nm) with 4MiB cache.

    Memory: Dual-channel Memory DDR4-PC19200 (2400MT/s), support for up to 32GB RAM with two SO-DIMM slots.

    Expansion: 4 x PCIe 2.0 for one NVMe storage, 2 x gigabit Ethernet ports, 2 x SATA 3.0.

    GPU: Intel UHD Graphics (Gen9.5) 600 (GT1) 700Mhz. Support for SSE4.2 accelerator (SMM, FPU, NX, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES).

    Display: HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.2 multiple video output.

    Where to buy

    Hardkernel says the H2 will ship from late November for an unannounced price.

    Image: Hardkernel

Related Topics:

Innovation Open Source Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things Smart Cities Hardware

Raspberry Pi with a twist

As versatile as the $35 Raspberry Pi is, it is just one of many single-board computers available to buy today.

The Pi strikes a fine balance between performance, price, and usability, but leaves plenty of room for other boards to tweak that formula.

This Fall has seen the release of a swathe of new boards, some ramping up the price to add PC-like features -- such support for fast SSD storage and Intel Core processors -- while others trim specs to cut costs.

These boards are generally aimed at software developers, hardware hackers and tech enthusiasts working on projects like home media servers. However, it's worth pointing out that few boards are as accessible or offer the same breadth of stable software as the Pi.

This gallery is also available as a single-page article.

Click through this gallery to see the most interesting single-board computers revealed or released in recent months.

Image: Raspberry Pi Foundation

About Nick Heath

Nick Heath is chief reporter for TechRepublic. He writes about the technology that IT decision makers need to know about, and the latest happenings in the European tech scene.

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