The Raspberry Pi is usually the star of the present once you want a robust mind on your DIY tasks, however there are alternate options to the favored single-board pc (SBC).
Why an SBC? SBCs are computer systems constructed on a single circuit board and comprise all of the necessities: a processor, reminiscence, storage, and extra. Some SBCs supply higher bang on your buck than a Raspberry Pi or are simpler to get your palms on, as shares can change into restricted, particularly throughout gross sales occasions or with a brand new Raspberry Pi line launch. Others have additional options appropriate for particular makes use of, akin to video streaming or AI functions.
We have finished the analysis that can assist you discover the right SBC on your house automation, customized gadget construct, or robotic you’ve got at all times needed to construct. The ZDNET staff is well-versed in SBC use and combines hands-on testing, analysis, and a radical examination of buyer suggestions to offer the very best Raspberry Pi alternate options.
Additionally: Meet essentially the most inexpensive Raspberry Pi ever: What’s new and why it is so low-cost
What’s the greatest Raspberry Pi different proper now?
We examined and researched the very best Raspberry Pi alternate options obtainable primarily based on efficiency, connectivity and storage, ease of use, and value. Libre Laptop Board (aka Le Potato) is our prime choose for the very best Raspberry Pi different total attributable to its options and value within the single-board pc house. It proves itself to be a stable single-board pc appropriate for novices and fans.
The very best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2024
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This Libre Laptop Board is a stable single-board pc at an inexpensive value. For those who’re all for making an attempt out an SBC for the primary time and do not wish to make investments an excessive amount of into it, this can be a nice choice for you.
Plus, it affords infinite storage enlargement through MicroSD playing cards, which is nice should you use it closely. You’ll not break any pace information, and it is not appropriate for heavy-resource tasks. Nonetheless, this board affords nice options, together with Linux, open-source graphics, video libraries, and UEFI help — and for under $40.
Prospects love the value level and common versatility of this SBC, though some report booting points. You may choose between one, two-, or four-packs on Amazon for $40, $75, or $145, respectively.
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) tech specs: Processor: Amlogic S905X SoC | Graphics: Mali-450 GPU | RAM: As much as 2GB of DDR3 SDRAM | Connectivity: 4x USB 2.0 Kind A | Ports: HDMI 2.0 | Storage enlargement: MicroSD Card Slot | Interface: eMMC Interface | Velocity: 100Mb Quick Ethernet
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The $152 Orange Pi 5 Plus board is a wonderful Raspberry PI different should you’re in search of a board appropriate for media functions.
The Orange Pi 5 Plus does pack a punch — sporting a Rockchip RK3588 8-core (64-bit) CPU (2.4Ghz), an Arm Mali GPU, 16GB RAM, help for Debian11, Android 12, Ubuntu22.04, Orange Pi working methods, and a video output HDMI connector at as much as 8K.
Prospects report that they’re proud of the facility and pace of the system as a Raspberry Pi different, though some customers additionally say they’ve skilled help issues.
Orange Pi 5 Plus tech specs: Processor: Rockchip RK3588 8-Core 64-Bit (quadcore A76 + quadcore A55) as much as 2.4GHz | Graphics: ARM Mali-G610 | RAM: LPDDR4/4x as much as 16GB | as much as 256GB eMMC storage modules | Video: as much as 8K @60fps | Connectors: USB, Ethernet (2xPCIe 2.5G LAN)
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This board has a number of wonderful options that make it splendid for hobbyists. We notably admire the color-coded GPIO header, which makes it simple 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 superb processor, and the 16GB eMMC pace affords sufficient energy for many tasks. It additionally helps HD and UHD (4K) video and varied ports, together with LAN and USB. It prices $160 at Asus.
Prospects say there’s far much less help obtainable in comparison with Raspberry Pi, however they typically prefer it as a venture SBC.
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 | Bandwidth: 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth: V4.0 + EDR | Velocity: 16GB eMMC
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Highly effective but energy-efficient, the Odriod N2+ could be ZDNET writer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first alternative if he needed to interchange his desktop pc with a single-board pc.
This SBC is nice for superior customers who need extra energy than a daily SBC. It affords wonderful connectivity and may run the Petitboot app. It could additionally run varied variations of Linux, together with the newest Ubuntu, and is suitable with Android.
Additionally: Tips on how to set up Linux in your Raspberry Pi
Arduous Kernel sells a 2GB mannequin for $66. Buyer evaluations point out that the N2+ is a superb house automation and gaming choice, though some customers have skilled energy provide points.
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 optionally available 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 | Velocity: 2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port
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There’s not a lot that the Udoo Bolt V3 cannot deal with, regardless of beginning as a Kickstarter venture again within the day (a realm the place many tasks fail). It is extremely quick and nice for VR, AR, and AI tasks, sporting a Ryzen processor and Vega graphics. If you might want to load large information rapidly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V3 is not going to disappoint.
The 32GB eMMC pace is unmatched by another board we advocate. But it surely’s costly — no less than $365, relying on the provider. Prospects who’ve used Udoo Bolt V3 acknowledge this excessive value level however benefit from the sheer energy of this SBC.
For an improve, you can even think about the Udoo Bolt V8, which comes with an enchancment in graphics and processing energy.
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 | Velocity: 32GB eMMC 5.0 high-speed drive
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Le Potato is ZDNET’s prime choose total attributable to its affordability and options within the single-board pc house. We have damaged down every Raspberry Pi different under primarily based on processor, storage, and pace. If one among these qualities is a precedence for you, this evaluation might assist you select the very best single-board pc for you.
|
Greatest Raspberry Pi different |
Processor |
RAM/Storage |
Velocity |
|
Libre Laptop Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato) |
Amlogic S905X SoC |
As much as 2GB DDR3 SDRAM |
100Mb Quick Ethernet |
|
Orange Pi 5 Plus |
Rockchip RK3588 8-core, as much as 2.4GHz |
16GB LPDDR4 RAM, as much as 256GB eMMC modules |
2.4Ghz with Gigabit Ethernet Port |
|
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 |
|
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 Velocity Drive |
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Typically, you might want to get on with a venture, so you purchase an inexpensive single-board pc — or, maybe, you’ve got simply begun exploring the sphere of SBCs. However if you wish to spend money on higher {hardware}, be sure to’re not losing cash.
To seek out the very best SBC for you, we advise beginning with a transparent thought of the tasks you will use it for. This may be the laborious half, however it’s definitely worth the time. Getting derailed partway by means of a venture may end up in an enormous setback that prices money and time.
Subsequent, do a little analysis. How a lot energy and efficiency do you want? What working system do you might want to use? This SBC information affords the very best Raspberry alternate options so you’ll find the board that matches your price range and wishes.
|
Select this SBC… |
If you need… |
|
Libre Laptop Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato) |
A price range choice for hobbyists and fans, and the right technique to discover SBCs. This Libre mannequin is a superb Raspberry Pi different for many who wish to study SBCs with out spending a fortune. |
|
Orange Pi 5 Plus |
A single-board pc arrange for video and media help. The Orange Pi 5 Plus helps as much as 8K video processing at 60 fps and has excessive ranges of efficiency. |
|
Asus Tinker Board S R2.0 |
Whereas it has a value level on the upper aspect, the Asus Tinker Board has the whole lot you want for a wide range of tasks. |
|
Odroid N2+ |
A variety of {hardware} choices. The Odroid N2+ is a prime performer that one among our personal authors would choose as a desktop PC substitute. |
|
Udoo Bolt V3 |
A high-end SBC with the sort of efficiency you’ll anticipate from a desktop pc. It is costly, however the pace and help for VR, AR, and AI tasks might make it price it. |
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The Raspberry Pi is a wonderful piece of {hardware}, however it’s been constructed inside particular constraints that allow mass enchantment. These SBCs take what the Raspberry Pi dropped at the desk additional with options that permit you to customise your expertise.
Our checklist consists of choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and extremely beneficial merchandise primarily based on buyer evaluations and suggestions, with these components particularly in thoughts:
- Efficiency: Efficiency is important when you think about buying a brand new SBC. We’ve thought of processing energy, RAM, and graphics and have included choices capable of deal with resource-heavy tasks.
- Connectivity: SBCs supply a variety of connectivity choices. Some present Bluetooth, for instance, whereas others solely have HDMI and Ethernet.
- Storage: Some SBCs embrace storage, whereas others present USB ports for connecting exterior drives. We like to incorporate a variety of choices.
- Ease of use: SBCs do not must be complicated, and a few of our choices embrace sensible coloration coding or different options to make your tasks simpler to deal with.
- Worth: Not everybody desires to spend money on essentially the most high-spec SBC on the market, particularly if they’re simply beginning out and exploring their pursuits. We’ve thought of a variety of gadgets with novices, hobbyists, and tech fans in thoughts.
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If you find yourself choosing your new Raspberry Pi different, you need to think about the next important components:
- Worth: How a lot are you keen to spend in your new venture? The use case issues, too: if you’re simply beginning out, a less expensive SBC ought to be high quality, whereas you may wish to spend extra on long-term tasks.
- Mission: If you would like an SBC for hobbyist tasks, you will not want essentially the most superior or costly kits on the market — minimal RAM and processing will do, and so that you may not wish to go for essentially the most superior processing energy or the very best board.
- Subsequent-gen duties: If you wish to discover the capabilities of AI, for instance, you may wish to think about a mannequin with increased specs or one thing constructed with these tasks in thoughts, such because the Nvidia Jetson.
- Media: For those who intend to make use of your Raspberry Pi different for media, akin to streaming audio and video, be certain that the SBC you’re contemplating has the required parts and help.
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The Raspberry Pi continues to be the very best place to start out if you wish to get expertise with a single-board pc.
Additionally: Raspberry Pi simply launched its personal high-performance SSDs and SSD kits
These alternate options are an important subsequent step to develop your SBC data. The Raspberry Pi is a superb instrument for familiarizing your self with the setup and GPIO pins. It is also a useful gizmo if one among your youngsters has an curiosity in programming that you just wish to encourage.
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There are numerous choices. Yow will discover quite a lot of generic circumstances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or different SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, should you’re investing in an SBC, you need to shield it.
Additionally, if you’re fortunate sufficient to personal a 3D printer, then you definitely’ll have an infinite provide of circumstances! Alternatively, you may go to the 3D printing market Pinshape to seek out your excellent case.
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You may attempt to waterproof the case by utilizing seals or silicone grease. You can additionally spray the board with a conformal coating to withstand moisture.
However past these steps, there is no technique to make them utterly waterproof, and also you threat harm should you do not hold your electronics away from opposed climate situations and environments.
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Inflation apart, the price of Raspberry Pi fashions — as soon as solely $15 or so — has elevated attributable to numerous components. Provide shortages, made worse through the pandemic, have impacted provide and demand, and the value of computing parts and chips has elevated.
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Sure, many professionals use Raspberry Pi. Nonetheless, professionals additionally use alternate options to it. All of it will depend on private and venture wants.
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Raspberry Pi is a small computing system obtainable for a lower cost than a PC or a laptop computer and is used to construct computer systems, robots, safety methods, and extra. In a way, it capabilities because the compact mind of a system or venture.
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Sure, Banana Pi is a stable different to Raspberry Pi. It’s a comparable system however has added advantages in some areas. For instance, it helps a wider vary of working methods, akin to Android and Linux (together with Ubuntu). It permits for extra highly effective processors and extra RAM choices, in addition to enhanced connectivity like Gigabit ethernet and SATA help.
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We selected a wide range 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:
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