Raspberry Pi would be the king of do-it-yourself and ruling supreme in the world of single-board computers. Its very large community and abundant documentation have made it a household name amongst hobbyists. But then, every king must have rivals. Maybe you need a little more muscle or simply can’t get one in stock. And there come those Raspberry Pi alternatives that are ready to elevate your project further.
To trulyownthe Raspberry Pi, it all comes down to having indepth knowledge. This little quick guide shows how to glean necessary system specs, like knowing the Pi’s version, model, and other almostfatal stats. Stop guessing; now it feels good toknow. Let’s get our hands dirty!
Tip : Raspberry Pi needs an OS to run. Learn how you can install Raspberry Pi OS on Raspberry Pi.
Our Selection Criteria
Imagine a computer that fits in the palm of your hand, and that rendition of even everyday needs could be handled by a cheeky yield of the term “Single Board Computer.” Then, with the market so flooded with options, how does one even go about choosing? Achieving a cut through the sounds and ranking SBCs based on what really matters: raw compute power, adaptable skillsets, energy efficiency, well-integrated and simple working.
Performance
So what distinguishes an SBC experience? Performance. Any slower board pours a customer’s life into the kiddie pool of basic tasks, while a sensations that lets demand projects flip into the deep end of his creations. The secret sauce? That is to say, processor prowess, muscle RAM, and graphics cardiocyte.
Good to know : is it viable to have Raspberry Pi 4 as a desktop computer?
Connectivity & Storage
A port on your single board computer is the beginning of potential. A simple SBC may give you USB 2.0, 100 Mbps Ethernet ports, and HDMI with very little else to surface. Others will open the door to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, M.2 PCIe for fast storage, and Gigabit Ethernet to speed away from the network. Sometimes, on the flip side, onboard storage is not provided. Keep external drives or SD cards via the microSD slot as a consideration while weighing the potential of the board. You do want to choose wisely to empower your project fully.
Image source: Unsplash
Some SBCs also come with modules that you can add on to the board to extend its functionalities.
Tip : have older devices that can’t connect to Wi-Fi? Turn your Raspberry Pi into a Wi-Fi bridge.
Ease of Use
The stereotype is that all single-board computers are the same. Some come with intuitive color-coding and features that make life easier for the user. Other SBCs include developer kits that practically take a great beginner by the hand to the thrilling world of SBCs.
Support and Documentation
Raspberry Pi maintains a treasure trove of documentation for easy troubleshooting plus a good neighborhood. Where others often let their users stumble in the dark, clear documentation is what acts as a divider between the contenders and the pretenders.
Power Consumption
SBCs: Where power draw isn’t a footnote, it’s the headline. Choose wisely, or kiss your project goodbye.
You know, those wall sockets, they’re just cramping the Pi’s style. Free your Raspberry Pi from its AC adapter! Familiarize with ingenuous, onthego power solutions that let your projects roam free anywhere. Say no to the desk; yes to the journey.
Best Raspberry Pi Alternatives Buying Guide
Best Overall Pick: Orange Pi 5
Move over, Raspberry Pi. Here comes the Orange Pi 5. Offering tremendous power at barely an affordable price, this single-board computer washes away the competition. Now imagine letting loose an octa-core Rockchip processor, an 8K-ready GPU on the visual side, and an all-dedicated Neural Processing Unit on the cytogenies side. The Orange Pi 5 goes beyond just alternatives; it is the fantastic upgrade in town, available in various memory configurations to match your wild imagination.
What about connectivity? The board is a Swiss army knife: USB 3.0 and legacy USB 2.0, and USB C 3.1 for the future. Display options? HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 await. Storage? It’s all expandable via microSD and M.2 slots. Wired networking? Gigabit Ethernet serves. And for the tinkerers, a 26-pin GPIO interface memory opens beaches for wild hardware hacks. The documentation would be lean, but the sheer power and expandability this thing offers make it a DIY wonder, especially if you’re not afraid to get dirty.
Best Value: Libre Computer Board (Le Potato)
Forget Raspberry Pi as you know it. Enter Le Potato-the surprisingly mighty Libre Computer board! Conceived to challenge the Pi supremacy, these value-filled SBCs do defy their looks. Still relevant today? Of course! Imagine fluid media-server streaming with backup VPN protection, or perhaps it is time to build an ad-blocking fortress for the entire network: all this can be achieved with Le Potato’s robust features and surprisingly crafty hardware. Along with an onboard 2GB DDR3 RAM, ready to go on its own. A fantastic upgrade for any entry-level project!
Under its modest exterior is the heart of a surprisingly competent system: a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU running at 1.416GHz with a Mali-450 GPU capable of the almost impossible task of 4K video. The connectivity remains useful: USB 2.0, 100Mb Ethernet, and microUSB seemed a little bit old as I write this. Good news, however, is that an HDMI 2.0 port awaits your discoveries, as well as the 40-pin GPIO header for some serious experimenting, and eMMC port. Documentation can indeed be a frustrating maze, the common ailment that plagues these few alternate single-board computers; yet, the sheer amount of value for the price is staggering. For hobbyists willing to tinker, to build, and to create without going bankrupt, this board could be an extremely enticing proposition.
Best for Streaming: Odroid N2+
Retro gaming nirvana unleashed through Odroid N2+! Far from a mere upgrade, it actually restores your cherished classics. Hexa-core processor consists of a quad-core Cortex-A73 powerhouse with a dual-core Cortex-A53 partner. Your N2+ doesn’t know the word “lag” and laughs away in front of it. Backing it all up is the Mali-G52 GPU that renders the Dolphin Emulator useful to bring back life into Gamecube titles.
Alas, it’s just a tad pricier than a Raspberry Pi, although that slight amount of money will grant you a smooth and much cooler feel, thanks to 4GB DDR4 RAM and a colossal metal heatsink. Picture playing Hyrule while installing metal on your legs-that’s what it translates to as an experience for the Odroid N2+. The rest of your living room is transformed into an arcade. The Odroid N2+ is your passageway to the past, while still being powered by the future.
Turn your Odroid N2+ into an unrivalled streaming center! Be treated to mind-blowing 4K visuals with HDR10 and HLG support, and enjoy seamless playback thanks to auto-FR switching. The perfect soundtrack to your viewing experience would be having Dolby Atmos and DTS:X passthrough. On the connectivity front, it comprises Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0, a flexible 40-pin GPIO header, and a microSD slot. The easiest way to streaming heaven? Loading Android and turning this tiny board into a full-blown TV box.
Poor documentation is a con but you get that on every Raspberry Pi alternative.
Tip : need a compact device for your video calls? Turn your Raspberry Pi into a video conferencing station.
Best for AI and ML: LattePanda 3 Delta
Ready to ditch kiddie pools and into deep waters of machine learning? LattePanda 3 Delta doesn’t joke around. This x86-based SBC is really very far step up from Raspberry Pi 5 as far as a leap is concerned. Prepare to conquer, not just to tinker. The Intel Celeron N5105 CPU with 64GB storage and 8GB RAM turns your complicated algorithms into child’s play. Let your AI aspirations run wild.
If you want power in a small form factor, this is it! Yet, connectivity is not compromised, and choices are many: USB 3.2 Gen2, 3.5mm audio jack, M.2 and PCIe 3.0 slots, SIM slot if desired, and the fast Wi-Fi 6. LattePanda 3 Delta has got to be the best machine for heavy projects demanding muscle but not at the cost of space.
Best for Graphics: Nvidia Jetson Nano
Launch into the boundless world of AI with an Nvidia Jetson Nano where great GPU power is given to a compact design. Imagine a tiny supercomputer housing a 128-CUDA-core Maxwell GPU and a quad-core Cortex-A57 CPU all for deep learning and AI aspirations. This is not merely processing power; this could lead to visually gorgeous simulations and breakthrough machine learning projects. The Jetson Nano GPU is more than a piece; it is at the heart of innovation.
Trying to work with the oldest bit of connectivity would be a hassle. This is truly a playground for ports: USB 3.0 and 2.0, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, GPIO, or even dedicated camera interfaces. Thanks to Nvidia’s stellar developer support, SDK, and an active community, you’re not only picking up a box of hardware; you’ve unlocked a powerful AI ecosystem. Compared to its rival, the Raspberry Pi, in the field of AI, Jetson Nano does not keep a single instance of competition; it wins!
Tip : feeling like some AI DIYing? Here’s how to run your own local LLM on a Raspberry Pi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Raspberry Pi 5 worth it?
Raspberries, ah! Yet to be kissed by the Raspberry Pi world? Never felt the charm of the Raspberry Pi 5? Then, the 4B, my friend, is your perfect kickstart. Cheap yet robust, and bringing almost everything under the sun, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, quad-core processor(s), and up to 8GB of RAM! Whether you want to watch some movies, try out a little coding, or build some robots, the Pi 4B has got you covered. The ideal choice for a newcomer who won’t want to spend much on his or her first board!
Why is Raspberry Pi so expensive?
Its Pi fever has reached a boiling point! The demand is sky-high, and even its creators are struggling to keep pace. Finding a Pi at a reasonable price feels like finding a unicorn. Be warned-the older models go at crazy prices that sometimes rival the latest and greatest. Don’t die of thirst if one is too expensive to get! Explore the alternatives we unveil-your next tech adventure awaits.
Is Raspberry Pi Pico good?
An untamed and enormous ionosphere of board and hefty price tags is no fit for the big boys. This pint-sized microcontroller is a single-board computer no longer. To give more energy to your electronics projects without exotic sanity or electricity, this brilliant pocket powerhouse was born. Tiny in silicoing yet fulvid, it is the smallest and arguably the most innovative member of the family, possessing ever first and foremost silicon by the company itself: the RP2040 dual-core chip. On a dollar-to-dollar basis, it’d be a hard choice to crown the Pico as the best in giving microcontroller experience.
Why Isn’t the Arduino the best Raspberry Pi alternative?
Arduino does not intend to be a Raspberry Pi. It is a microcontroller, a whole different animal. Comparing both is like comparing apples and oranges-wholly separate skillsets are needed. In other words, Arduino cannot replace a Raspberry Pi. It lives in a world of its own.
Image credit: Unsplash.
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