Tag: FriendlyELEC

  • NanoPi M6V2 Review: 6 TOPS AI, HDMI 2.1, M.2

    NanoPi M6V2 Review: 6 TOPS AI, HDMI 2.1, M.2

    Key Takeaway

    – AI acceleration (6 TOPS) useful for tasks like object recognition, but not sufficient for LLMs
    – Dual MIPI-DSI and HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K@60Hz) for flexible display output
    – M.2 2280 SSD via PCIe 2.1 plus eMMC and microSD for storage options
    – 30-pin GPIO header and MIPI-CSI for sensors, actuators, and camera connectivity
    – Price: $172 ($187 with metal case)

    Single-Board Computer With Rockchip Power

    FriendlyElec is offering a new single-board computer that could certainly be a viable alternative to the Raspberry Pi (in terms of price). The NanoPi M6V2 is, unsurprisingly, a revised version of the NanoPi M6, with no fundamental changes. The NanoPi M6V2 comes with Rockchip’s RK3588S SoC, which features four Cortex-A76 and four Cortex-A55 cores and is accompanied by 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. According to FriendlyElec, AI applications can be accelerated directly on the SoC with up to 6 TOPS.

    AI and Camera Connectivity

    While this isn’t necessarily sufficient for LLM models, its at least enough for tasks such as object recognition. Cameras can be connected not only via USB 3.0 or USB 2.0, but also via MIPI-CSI, a connection type well known in the maker community. Two MIPI-DSI ports are available for displays, but video output is also possible via HDMI 2.1 with resolutions up to 7680 x 4320 and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The board measures 62 x 90 mm and features a 30-pin header for sensors and actuators.

    Storage and Expansion Options

    An eMMC storage option is available, and an M.2 2280 SSD can also be installed via PCIe 2.1. A microSD card is slot also on board, which should make installing an operating system quite straightforward. The 62 x 90 mm board features a 30-pin header for connecting sensors and actuators. An IR receiver is already integrated.

    Networking and Pricing

    Out of the box, network connectivity is provided via Gigabit Ethernet, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be added via an M.2 2230 card. The NanoPi M6V2 is available for $172. A metal case is included for an additional $15. This price point makes it an interesting choice for developers or hobbiests wanting higher performance then basic Raspberry Pi models.


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  • Global Launch of Compact NanoPi Board with LPDDR4 RAM

    Global Launch of Compact NanoPi Board with LPDDR4 RAM

    Key Takeaways

    1. The NanoPi Neo3 Plus is a cost-effective refresh of the previous R76S model, priced significantly lower.
    2. It features a Rockchip RK3528A chipset with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and a Mali-450 GPU.
    3. Connectivity options include a Gigabit Ethernet port, microSD card reader, USB 3.0 Type-A, and USB 2.0 Type-C ports.
    4. The board is compact, measuring 48 x 48 mm and weighing 21.5 g, and supports various Linux 6.1 LTS variants.
    5. Pricing starts at $24 for the 1 GB RAM model without eMMC storage, with additional eMMC options available for purchase.

    FriendlyElec has refreshed their NanoPi series with the introduction of the Neo3 Plus. This new model follows the previous year’s R76S, which is currently priced at $84.99 on Amazon. The Neo3 Plus keeps the compact design of the R76 while offering a significantly reduced price.

    Specs and Features

    To achieve this cost-effective solution, FriendlyElec has equipped the Neo3 Plus with a Rockchip RK3528A chipset that features four ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores and a Mali-450 GPU. The Neo3 Plus now has a single Gigabit Ethernet port and includes a microSD card reader, along with a USB 3.0 Type-A port and a USB 2.0 Type-C port. For power, it requires 5V/2A, which can be supplied through its Type-C port or its 26-pin GPIO header.

    Additional Connectivity

    In addition to its main features, the Neo3 Plus also comes with connectors for stereo speakers, a 5V fan header, debug UART, and an eMMC socket. The board measures 48 x 48 mm and weighs just 21.5 g, with red and green LEDs, plus a 2-pin RTC connector. According to the information on the company’s wiki, the Neo3 Plus is compatible with multiple Linux 6.1 LTS variants, including Debian 13 Core and Ubuntu Core 24.04.

    Pricing Options

    The NanoPi Neo3 Plus starts at a price of $24 for the model with 1 GB of RAM, but it does not include eMMC flash storage. Alternatively, you can get the new single-board computer (SBC) for $32, which comes with a metal case as shown in the image below. FriendlyElec also offers 64 GB and 256 GB eMMC modules for $23 and $61, respectively, during checkout. For further information, visit FriendlyElec’s official website.

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  • NanoPC-T6 Plus: A Powerful Raspberry Pi Alternative with LTE and 32GB RAM

    NanoPC-T6 Plus: A Powerful Raspberry Pi Alternative with LTE and 32GB RAM

    Key Takeaways

    1. The NanoPC-T6 Plus offers enhanced performance with a maximum of 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, doubling the capacity of previous models.
    2. It maintains the Rockchip RK3588 processor, featuring four Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 CPU cores along with a Mali-G610 MP4 GPU.
    3. The new model includes an M.2 Key-B slot for 4G LTE connectivity and two analog microphones, improving functionality over earlier versions.
    4. The NanoPC-T6 Plus is priced at $199 for the model with 16 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC flash storage, excluding additional duties and taxes.
    5. FriendlyElec supports multiple operating systems, including Android 14, Debian, Ubuntu, and its own FriendlyWrt variant of OpenWrt.

    FriendlyElec has introduced a new option in its NanoPC-T6 lineup, following the launches of the NanoPC-T6 and NanoPC-T6 LTS (currently priced at $149.99 on Amazon) in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The latest addition is the NanoPC-T6 Plus, which offers better performance primarily through increased RAM.

    Enhanced RAM Capacity

    The NanoPC-T6 Plus comes with a maximum of 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, which is notable because it is double the amount found in the NanoPC-T6 and NanoPC-T6 LTS. This new RAM is also faster than the LPDDR4X used in previous models of the NanoPC-T6 series single-board computers (SBCs). However, the NanoPC-T6 Plus continues to use the Rockchip RK3588 processor, which includes four Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 CPU cores along with a Mali-G610 MP4 GPU.

    Additional Features

    In addition to the increased RAM, the NanoPC-T6 Plus includes an M.2 Key-B slot for 4G LTE connectivity and features two analog microphones instead of just one like its predecessors. Furthermore, FriendlyElec has incorporated a 3-pin UART (3.3V) connector, replacing the space that was previously taken by a 10-pin UART and USB 2.0 headers on the NanoPC-T6 LTS.

    The NanoPC-T6 Plus is available for $199, which includes 16 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC flash storage. Keep in mind that this price does not account for additional duties and taxes. Additionally, FriendlyElec offers a metal enclosure for an extra $22. For those interested in operating systems, FriendlyElec supports Android 14, Debian, Ubuntu, and its own FriendlyWrt variant of OpenWrt. For further information, visit the company’s website.

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  • NanoPi: New Single-Board Computer with Dual Ethernet Ports

    NanoPi: New Single-Board Computer with Dual Ethernet Ports

    Key Takeaways

    1. The NanoPi R3S-LTS is a single-board computer by FriendlyElec, designed for network applications.
    2. It features a Rockchip RK3566 SoC with four Cortex-A55 cores and offers 1 or 2 GB of LPDDR4(X) RAM.
    3. The device includes 32 GB of eMMC storage and supports expansion via a microSD card.
    4. Connectivity options include two Gigabit Ethernet ports, an HDMI port, and a USB-C port for power and data transfer.
    5. The starting price is $25, and it supports various operating systems like FriendlyWrt, OpenMediaVault, and Ubuntu Noble Core.

    The NanoPi R3S-LTS is a newly released single-board computer by FriendlyElec, which is well-suited for many uses, especially in network applications. It is powered by the Rockchip RK3566 system-on-chip (SoC) featuring four Cortex-A55 cores, making it not the most high-performance option out there. Depending on which version you choose, it comes with either 1 or 2 GB of LPDDR4(X) RAM. The device also offers up to 32 GB of eMMC storage, plus users can expand their storage using a microSD card.

    Dimensions and Connectivity

    When housed properly, the NanoPi R3S-LTS has dimensions of 62.5 x 62.5 millimeters and stands 28 millimeters tall. For networking, it includes two Ethernet ports that both support Gigabit speed. Along with the Ethernet ports located at the back, there is also an HDMI port and a USB-C port. The USB-C port not only powers the board but can also connect to a PC, allowing for easy operating system installations through a web browser. According to the company, it supports various operating systems like FriendlyWrt, OpenMediaVault, and Ubuntu Noble Core. The front of the device includes a microSD slot, three LEDs, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port.

    Pricing and Availability

    You can order the NanoPi R3S-LTS directly from the manufacturer starting at a price of $25.

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    NanoPi: New Single-Board Computer with Dual Ethernet Ports

     

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  • NanoPi M5: 16GB RAM, NVMe SSD, 4K Support – Raspberry Pi Rival

    NanoPi M5: 16GB RAM, NVMe SSD, 4K Support – Raspberry Pi Rival

    Key Takeaways

    1. The NanoPi M5 is a compact single-board computer measuring 3.54 x 2.44 inches, powered by the Rockchip RK3576 SoC with up to 2.2GHz performance.
    2. It offers memory options of 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB, making it suitable for various single-board computer tasks.
    3. Users can connect an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD for mass storage and utilize SD cards for additional storage.
    4. The board features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports but lacks built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, which can be added via an M.2 module.
    5. Pricing starts at $55, with the 16GB RAM variant costing an additional $30, and it can be powered via USB Type-C.

    FriendlyELEC has introduced a new single-board computer to their range. The NanoPi M5 has dimensions of 3.54 x 2.44 inches and is also offered with a matching case. This compact computer runs on the Rockchip RK3576 SoC, which features four Cortex-A72 and four Cortex-A53 cores, with clock speeds reaching up to 2.2GHz and 2.0GHz, respectively. It comes in memory options of 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB. The highest configuration should be suitable for most single-board computer tasks. However, it does not have built-in mass storage; instead, users can connect an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD using one PCIe 2.1 lane. Like other single-board computers, it also supports SD cards.

    Connectivity Features

    For network connectivity, the NanoPi M5 is equipped with two Gigabit Ethernet ports. There’s no built-in WiFi or Bluetooth, but these can be added with an appropriate M.2 module. The SoC includes an NPU that provides an INT8 performance of 6 TOPS. Users can connect 4K 60Hz monitors through HDMI 2.0, and MIPI DSI is also an option. The latter is frequently utilized for displays that can integrate into specific setups and devices using this SBC. For connecting sensors and actuators, a 30-pin header that supports I2C, UART, and PWM is provided.

    Power and Pricing

    Powering the Raspberry Pi alternative is done via USB Type-C, and it can be hooked up to a 5V fan. FriendlyELEC offers this new single-board computer starting at $55, with the 16GB RAM variant priced at an additional $30. Prospective customers should carefully check the shipping conditions before making their purchase.

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    NanoPi M5: 16GB RAM, NVMe SSD, 4K Support - Raspberry Pi Rival
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