Single-Board Computer (SBC)

Designed for Raspberry Pi and PCs, Volumio is a Debian-based distro fine-tuned exclusively for music playback that delivers a HiFi-grade audio experience. The latest update refreshes most system components but focuses on reliability and audio quality, so most pieces of code are not the latest ones available for Debian users.

Qualcomm has unveiled the Arduino Ventuno Q single-board computer designed for hobbyists and developers interested in creating physical AI projects, such as robots. The SBC is powered by a Dragonwing IQ8 SoC, 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 64 GB eMMC, coupled with an STM32H5 MCU for real-time control of motors and sensors.

While most retailers are now asking a whopping $129 for the top configuration of the Raspberry Pi 5, the SBC is now on sale for a much more reasonable $89 at various Micro Center locations across the US.

FriendlyElec has updated the NanoPi series with a tiny new single-board computer (SBC). Available for under $25 with LPDDR4 RAM, the NanoPi Neo3 Plus also measures just 48 x 48 mm and weighs around 20 g.

If you want to replace your Vodafone router with your own OpenWRT or x86-based router, the first step is enabling bridge mode. Only then does the Vodafone Station act as a pure modem, passing the internet connection directly to your new router without interference. In part 4 of my “Unbloated Network” series, I walk through how to enable bridge mode in the Vodafone account portal—and why the Homespot feature often prevents it.

The DFI IRN556 is a highly compact, 1.8-inch industrial single board computer designed for space-constrained, high-performance embedded applications. As an alternative to the Raspberry Pi that works with Windows, the IRN556 is very versatile.

Many ISP-provided routers are closed black boxes with limited functionality. In part 3 of my “Unbloated Network” project, I show how to install OpenWRT on an x86 PC to replace the Vodafone router with your own hardware. Step by step, we’ll set up the latest stable release, including image selection, Linux-based installation, and partition expansion.

The Winsystems Zeta 3950 is a new rugged SBC that can endure temperatures ranging from -40° to 185° F, or -40° to 85° C. With a quad-core Intel Atom CPU, the SBC sports plenty of ports and features a compact design.

Now built on LibreELEC 12.2, Lakka 6.1 is a new release of this retro console emulator for single-board computers. Back in April 2024, version 5.0 came out, and since then, the team has been working on revamping the core ecosystem and introducing several new features.

According to user reports, a chip from the Raspberry Pi Foundation can be massively overclocked, which can deliver a major performance boost. However, this does not suddenly turn the Raspberry Pi RP2350 into a performance monster.

With plenty of ports and an unusual architecture, the K1 is a new single-board computer that sports M.2 slots and can be expanded accordingly. PCIe is on board, and connecting external sensors and actuators is supported as well.

The Olimex ESP32-P4-PC is an open-source dev board based on the ESP32-P4 SoC, featuring HDMI, 10/100Mb Ethernet, and four USB 2.0 ports for applications such as smart home panels, POS systems, and IP camera controllers.

The DShanPi-A1 is a new single-board computer (SBC) powered by a quite capable 8-core Rockchip RK3576 CPU. Available with up to 8 GB of memory and dual 1G Ethernet ports, the A1 SBC should be a decent choice for hobbyist projects.

The Bit-Brick K1 Pro is a new single-board computer that could be an alternative to a Raspberry Pi 5. It supports two NVMe SSDs, while a built-in NPU can be used for local AI applications.

Banana Pi has finally released its WiFi 7-capable router board with optional 10 Gigabit LAN and WAN. Available in two variants with up to 8 GB DDR4 RAM, the BPI-R4 Pro also contains numerous M.2 modules for adding 4G or 5G cellular modules.

After deciding against using the ISP router in part one, it’s time to focus on hardware: what actually works best for an OpenWRT router? A mini PC, Raspberry Pi, or a traditional router? And what about the switch and access point? In this part, I’ll walk through my hardware choices, including considerations around power consumption, architecture, and cost.

The DB3506 might be a suitable alternative to the Raspberry Pi 5 and sports a wide range of ports. However, there are a few differences, and in practice, this single-board computer targets a different group of users.

A new and compact alternative to the Raspberry Pi is now available at a particularly affordable price. The board supports the connection of external sensors and actuators and comes with an easy-to-use video output.

The AI Pyramid Computing Box is a new and rather unusual device that is intended to run AI models locally and comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports. A microphone array and speaker are also already on board.

Raspberry Pi has confirmed that a new version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is on the way. Equipped with a second RAM module, the new version should benefit from improved manufacturing efficiencies over existing Raspberry Pi 4 Model B SBCs, too.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is raising prices for its popular single-board computers once again, just 2 months after the last price hike. Because of the DRAM crisis, the top-end Raspberry Pi 5 model with 16GB of memory now costs $205 or 70% more than before the shortage began.

Zotac will be unveiling the CM5-PICO at ISE 2026, which it calls the world's smallest and most feature-dense Raspberry Pi CM5 SBC. The CM5-PICO offers a variety of connectivity and expansion options with wide ranging applications. Alongside the CM5-PICO, Zotac will also be introducing an entire lineup of Edge AI mini PCs and embedded MxM modules featuring Nvidia RTX Pro Blackwell GPUs.

The NanoPC-T6 Plus is a new Raspberry Pi alternative with optional 4G LTE connectivity. With a wide selection of operating systems supported as well, the NanoPC-T6 Plus hopes to rival other single-board computers with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM at its disposal.

Thanks to a new expansion board, the Raspberry Pi 5 becomes an alternative to a device with a modern APU from AMD or Intel, at least when it comes to raw NPU performance. The board adds numerous use cases to the popular single-board computer.

The MS-CF19 is a fresh new single-board computer (SBC) from MSI, aiming to combine relatively powerful Intel Core Ultra 100U and 200U processors with a fanless design for silent operation. A good number of I/O options are present as well, including dual Ethernet ports.

Orange Pi has introduced the so-called AI Station, which is a new single-board computer that can even be used as a base for a mini PC. This device can run various AI applications locally and can be hooked up to external sensors as well as actuators.

I find the idea of self-hosting fascinating. I read about it regularly, and as someone who reviews PC hardware, I’m practically surrounded by ideal conditions—and gear—to finally get started. I’ve even tested devices that would be perfect for it. Yet despite thinking about it constantly, I still haven’t fully committed. Why?

A new and expandable single-board computer from Radxa offers significantly higher performance than the Raspberry Pi 5. However, Radxa is not likely targeting the same customer group, which is also reflected in the official asking price of the C200.

The Banana Pi BPI-CM6 is an SBC, precisely a compute module, which sports an octa-core RISC-V CPU and 8 GB of memory. Intended to be an alternative to the Raspberry Pi CM4, the BPI-CM6 might be a great choice for RISC-V enthusiasts.

Memory prices are spiralling out of control. At present, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM costs over US$180, double the price seen in summer. The Raspberry Pi 5 has now also been impacted by this trend, with all variants of the single-board computer becoming more expensive. The new base model now ships with just 1 GB of memory.

Khadas has discounted numerous single-board computers as well as mini PCs for Black Friday and the 2025 holiday season. For example, bargain hunters can grab the maxed-out Mind 2s or the Khadas Edge2 SBC at noticeably reduced prices.

IceWhale, the company behind ZimaBoard and more, is joining the Black Friday rush with discounts of up to 40 percent across its lineup. Among other deals, buyers can save 20 percent on a ZimaBlade or ZimaCube. Orders ship within 72 hours.

Banana Pi has revealed the details surrounding its upcoming BPI-SM9 SBC aimed at edge computing and lightweight AI inferencing, powered by the SOPHGO BM1688 processor with an octa-core setup and decent neural performance, courtesy of its 16 TOPS NPU (INT8). Pricing details are not yet available, and the same goes for availability.

The LattePanda Iota is a tiny single-board computer packing an Intel Twin Lake processor. Available in various configurations, the miniscule device packs enough power to serve as a 720p emulation machine based on early reviews.

The Typeframe PX-88 is a new project built around the popular Raspberry Pi Model 4B single-board computer (SBC). Also packing a 7.9-inch flip-up display and a 65% MX Cherry keyboard, the Typeframe PX-88 attempts to create a minimalist typing experience without compromising on the versatility that a modern desktop OS provides.

Qualcomm is expanding its product range with new processors, specifically for professional applications. These processors also deliver relatively high performance for accelerating AI models, enabling the simultaneous analysis of sensor data across multiple dimensions.

Most DIY laptops, palmtops or cyberdecks require significant engineering skills to build. However, this DIY palmtop looks to fix all that with off the shelf parts and a minimal, simple design that could be achieved by anyone with a 3D printer.

The Aaeon PICO-ARU4 is a fresh new SBC from the reputed brand, housing up to a 12-core Intel Core Ultra 7 255U in a commendably minuscule footprint. The product has already arrived on digital shelves, and commands an unsurprisingly premium price tag.

Packed with sensory upgrades, the Lilygo T-Echo Plus builds on the versatility of the Nordic nRF52840 MCU for long-range communication. With a new, larger battery and other quality-of-life enhancements, the upgraded T-Echo Plus is primed for outdoor utility.

Ohio State University researchers have demonstrated the ability to read and write data to shiitake mushrooms using an Arduino UNO microcontroller board and a simple test circuit. Roadblocks to commercialization include the storage unit size and hungry moms.

The MutantC V5 is a new handheld device that comes with a keyboard and joystick and is a slider smartphone. The device can also be connected to an external monitor, and sensors and actuators can be used.

The OK153-S is a new single-board computer that uses two different processor architectures and allows the connection of external sensors and actuators. A variety of ports are also available.

These two new single-board computers could certainly be an alternative to the Raspberry Pi. They come with different SoCs, which might make a noticeable difference for some specific use cases.

The Ubo Pod is a smart, personal AI assistant, designed to be open source and support the use of AI models locally, which could cater to individualized privacy requirements.

Forlinx has introduced a fresh new budget friendly offering powered by the tri-core Rockchip RK3506B SoC. Dubbed the S12 Mini, the tiny SBC also sports a 40-pin GPIO header that is compatible with Raspberry Pi.

Radxa has introduced a new product. The Orion O6N is a single-board computer and can be equipped with lots of mass storage. The SBC also sports an NPU with decent performance for AI applications.

The Orange Pi 4 Pro is a new single-board computer, making it a direct alternative to the Raspberry Pi 5. The model sports an NPU and can accelerate AI applications locally, although its performance is not particularly high by current standards.

The Orange Pi 6 Plus is a new single-board computer that stands out with its high AI performance, which will allow users to run some AI models directly on the device. The new Raspberry Pi 5 alternative is available in various configurations and even supports SSDs.

The Arduino UNO Q has been officially announced with a Qualcomm Dragonwing microprocessor and STMicroelectronics microcontroller. It runs Zephyr OS and supports all mainstream connectivity protocols.