For a lot of initiatives, dedicating a whole PC to a mission is overkill. That is the place single-board computer systems come in useful.
The very best-known single-board laptop (SBC) is, surely, the Raspberry Pi. It is identified worldwide for its versatility, low energy consumption, reliability, and ease of use.
When Raspberry Pi was first launched, it was troublesome to safe one. Now, nevertheless, there’s a huge number of Raspberry Pi choices — in addition to alternate options to the single-board laptop (SBC).
Alternate options to the Raspberry Pi can be utilized to customise distinctive initiatives, whether or not you need extra efficiency, AI, VR help, a board rated for industrial use, or one appropriate for programming and academic merchandise. Possibly you merely need one thing smaller than the Raspberry Pi! And given there will not be a brand new model of Raspberry Pi launched in 2023, now is a good time to attempt one thing new.
We have analyzed single-board computer systems primarily based on processor sort, graphics, RAM, and pace to seek out one of the best Raspberry Pi alternate options in the marketplace. This information to single-board computer systems may also help you discover the most suitable choice in your funds and desires.
Additionally: The very best cooler for Raspberry Pi energy customers
Professionals Coloration-coded GPIO for ease of use Filled with options Nice end
Asus Tinker Board S R2.0 tech specs: Processor: Rockchip Quad-Core RK3288 1.8GHz | Graphics: Arm Mali-T764 GPU | RAM: 2GB LPDDR3 dual-channel | Pace: 16GB eMMC | Bandwidth: 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth: V4.0 + EDR
This board has numerous good options that make it supreme for hobbyists. We significantly respect the color-coded GPIO header, which makes it straightforward to acknowledge respective pin headers. Plus, the detailed silk-screen print on the face of the board makes it clear the place the whole lot goes.
The Asus Tinker Board options a wonderful processor, and the 16GB eMMC pace affords sufficient energy for many initiatives. There may be additionally HD & UHD (4K) video help and varied ports, together with LAN and USB.
Professionals Nice value Strong performer Properly-made with nice documentation
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S905X SoC | Graphics: Mali-450 GPU | RAM: As much as 2GB DDR3 SDRAM | Connectivity: 4x USB 2.0 Sort A | Pace: 100Mb Quick Ethernet | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage growth: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface
This Libre Laptop Board is a strong single-board laptop at a value level that will not break the financial institution. For those who’re taken with making an attempt out an SBC for the primary and do not wish to make investments too closely, this can be a nice possibility for you.
Plus, it affords limitless storage growth by way of MicroSD playing cards, which is nice in case you use it closely. You are not going to be breaking any pace data, however this board affords an awesome set of options.
Professionals Numerous {hardware} choices Highly effective Superior choices resembling Petitboot Cons Dear Extra sophisticated than an everyday SBC
Odroid N2+ tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S922X — 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 @ 1.9GHz | Graphics: Mali-G52 GPU | RAM: 2GB or 4GB DDR4 | Interface: eMMC socket with non-obligatory 8GB to 128GB | Options: 8MB SPI flash with boot choose change and Petitboot app | Ports: Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 port for as much as 4K@60Hz | Connectivity: 4x USB 3.0 ports
Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odriod N2+ could be ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first alternative if he wished to switch his desktop laptop with a single-board laptop.
This SBC is nice for superior customers who need extra energy than an everyday SBC. It affords wonderful connectivity, and it is able to operating the Petitboot app. Plus, it may possibly run varied variations of Linux, together with the most recent Ubuntu, and it is also suitable with AndroidOS.
Additionally: Learn how to set up Linux in your Raspberry Pi
Professionals Glorious efficiency Designed for big workloads Speedy speeds Cons Dear Overkill for many duties
Udoo Bolt V3 tech specs: Processor: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202b twin core/quad thread @ 2.3ghz (3.2ghz Increase) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 3 | RAM: 2x DDR4 dual-channel 64-bit SO-DIMM Sockets With ECC Help as much as 32GB | Pace: 32GB eMMC 5.0 Excessive Pace Drive
There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V3 cannot deal with, regardless of beginning off as a Kickstarter mission again within the day (a realm the place many initiatives fail). It is extremely quick and nice to be used in VR, AR, and AI initiatives, sporting a Ryzen processor and Vega graphics. If it is advisable to load huge information rapidly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V3 is not going to disappoint.
The 32GB eMMC pace is unmatched by every other board we suggest. However at $437, it is fairly costly.
Professionals Upgradable RAM Robust video processing capabilities
Orange Pi 5 tech specs: Processor: Rockchip RK3588S 8-Core 64-Bit (4xCortex-A76 and 4xCortex-A55) as much as 2.4GHz | Graphics: Arm Mali-G610 MP4 “Odin” | RAM: LPDDR4/4x as much as 32GB | AI accelerator NPU | Video: as much as 8K @60Hz | 3D/2D picture acceleration module | helps open supply
The Orange Pi 5 board is a good Raspberry PI various in case you’re on the lookout for a board appropriate for media functions.
Whereas costly, the Orange Pi 5 does pack a punch — sporting a Rockchip RK3588S 8-core (64-bit) CPU, an Arm Odin GPU, 8GB RAM (upgradable to 32GB), DisplayPort compatibility, and a video output HDMI connector at as much as 8K with a 60Hz refresh fee.
The Asus Tinker Board S R2.0 is ZDNET’s prime decide general. I’ve damaged down every Raspberry Pi various under primarily based on processor, storage, and pace. If considered one of these qualities is a precedence for you, this evaluation could allow you to select one of the best single-board laptop for you.
Finest Raspberry Pi various
Processor
Storage
Pace
Asus Tinker Board S R2.0
Rockchip Quad-Core RK3288 1.8GHz
2GB LPDDR3 dual-channel, 16GB eMMC
16GB eMMC high-speed drives, overclocking pace of as much as 3.6 GHz
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato)
Amlogic S905X SoC
As much as 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
100Mb Quick Ethernet
Odroid N2+
Amlogic S922X — 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A53 @ 1.9GHz
2GB or 4GB DDR4
2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
Udoo Bolt V3
AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202b twin core/quad thread @ 2.3ghz (3.2ghz Increase)
2x DDR4 dual-channel 64-bit SO-DIMM Sockets With ECC Help as much as 32GB
32GB eMMC 5.0 Excessive Pace Drive
Orange Pi 5
Rockchip RK3588S 8-core (4-core A76 and 4-core A55) 64-bit, as much as 2.4GHz
As much as 32GB LPDDR4 RAM, QSPI Nor FLASH 16MB / MicroSD (TF)
10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet
Generally you simply must get on with a mission, so you purchase an affordable single-board laptop. However if you wish to spend money on higher {hardware}, you wish to just be sure you’re not throwing cash away. To search out one of the best SBC for you, I counsel beginning with a transparent concept of the initiatives you will use it for. This may be the exhausting half, however it’s well worth the time. For those who confuse your use goal, you might get derailed partway by way of the mission leading to a large setback that prices money and time.
Subsequent, do a little analysis. How a lot energy and efficiency do you want? What working system do it is advisable to use? This SBC information affords one of the best Raspberry alternate options, so you’ll find the board that matches your funds and desires.
Select this SBC…If you’d like…Asus Tinker Board S R2.0The finest various general. Whereas it has a value level on the upper facet, the Asus Tinker Board has the whole lot you want for quite a lot of initiatives. Libre Laptop Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato)A funds possibility for hobbyists and lovers. This Libre mannequin is a good Raspberry Pi various for individuals who wish to find out about SBCs with out spending a fortune.Odroid N2+A spread of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a prime performer that considered one of our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC substitute.Udoo Bolt V3A high-end SBC with the type of efficiency you’d anticipate from a desktop laptop. It is costly, however the pace and help for VR, AR, and AI initiatives could make it value it.Orange Pi 5A single board laptop arrange for video, media, and AI help. The Orange Pi 5 helps as much as 8K video processing at 60 fps.
The Raspberry Pi is a good piece of {hardware}, however it’s been constructed inside particular constraints that allow mass enchantment. These SBCs take what the Raspberry Pi delivered to the desk additional with options that can help you customise your expertise.
Our record consists of choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and highly-recommended merchandise primarily based on buyer evaluations and suggestions.
The Raspberry Pi continues to be one of the best place to begin if you wish to get expertise with a single-board laptop.
Additionally: Struggling to purchase a Raspberry Pi? It might grow to be rather a lot simpler
These alternate options are an awesome subsequent step if you wish to broaden your SBC data. The Raspberry Pi is a good software for familiarizing your self with the setup and GPIO pins. You’ll be able to work by way of the fundamentals from there!
There are numerous choices. You’ll find lots of generic circumstances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or various SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, in case you’re investing in an SBC, it is best to shield it.
Additionally, in case you can drive a 3D printer, you then’ll have an limitless provide of them!
You’ll be able to attempt to waterproof the case by utilizing seals or silicone grease. You possibly can additionally spray the board with conformal coating to withstand moisture.
However past these steps, there isn’t any approach to make them utterly waterproof.
We selected quite a lot of Raspberry Pi alternate options primarily based on efficiency, {hardware} choices, and pricing. If these do not give you the results you want, listed here are some appropriate alternate options:
BEST PRICE
Arduino UNO REV3 – Save 5%
The Arduino UNO REV3 is a implausible entry-level possibility.
BEST PRICE
Odroid-XU4 – Shares transfer rapidly
The Odroid-XU4 single-board laptop is a good board for quite a lot of initiatives.
BEST PRICE
Beagleboard PocketBeagle BeagleBone – Based mostly on Octavo methods
PocketBeagle is a compact but highly effective USB key-fob laptop.