The very best Raspberry Pi alternate options of 2023

For a lot of initiatives, dedicating a complete 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, indisputably, the Raspberry Pi. It is recognized worldwide for its versatility, low energy consumption, reliability, and ease of use. 

When Raspberry Pi was first launched, it was tough to safe one. Now, nevertheless, there’s a large number of Raspberry Pi choices — in addition to alternate options to the single-board laptop (SBC).

Options to the Raspberry Pi can be utilized to customise distinctive initiatives, whether or not you need extra efficiency, AI, VR assist, a board rated for industrial use, or one appropriate for programming and academic merchandise. Perhaps 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 superb time to attempt one thing new. 

We have analyzed single-board computer systems primarily based on processor kind, graphics, RAM, and velocity to search out the very best Raspberry Pi alternate options available on the market. This information to single-board computer systems may also help you discover the most suitable choice to your finances and desires. 

Additionally: The very best cooler for Raspberry Pi energy customers

Professionals Shade-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 a lot of good options that make it splendid 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 every part goes. 

The Asus Tinker Board options a wonderful processor, and the 16GB eMMC velocity presents sufficient energy for many initiatives. There may be additionally HD & UHD (4K) video assist and varied ports, together with LAN and USB.

Professionals Nice value Stable performer Effectively-made with nice documentation

Libre Pc 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 Pc Board is a stable single-board laptop at a value level that will not break the financial institution. If you happen to’re involved in attempting out an SBC for the primary and do not need to make investments too closely, it is a nice possibility for you. 

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Plus, it presents infinite storage growth by way of MicroSD playing cards, which is nice if you happen to use it closely. You are not going to be breaking any velocity data, however this board presents an amazing set of options.

Professionals Numerous {hardware} choices Highly effective Superior choices resembling Petitboot Cons Expensive 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 swap 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+ can be ZDNET creator Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’ first selection if he needed to exchange his desktop laptop with a single-board laptop. 

This SBC is nice for superior customers who need extra energy than an everyday SBC. It presents wonderful connectivity, and it is able to operating the Petitboot app. Plus, it will possibly run varied variations of Linux, together with the newest Ubuntu, and it is also suitable with AndroidOS. 

Additionally: How you can set up Linux in your Raspberry Pi

Professionals Wonderful efficiency Designed for giant workloads Speedy speeds Cons Expensive 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 you should load large information shortly and successfully, the Udoo Bolt V3 won’t disappoint. 

The 32GB eMMC velocity is unmatched by every other board we suggest. However at $437, it is fairly costly.

Professionals Upgradable RAM Sturdy 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 superb Raspberry PI different if you happen to’re in search of a board appropriate for media functions. 

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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 charge.

The Asus Tinker Board S R2.0 is ZDNET’s prime decide general. I’ve damaged down every Raspberry Pi different under primarily based on processor, storage, and velocity. If one among these qualities is a precedence for you, this evaluation might assist you select the very best single-board laptop for you.

Finest Raspberry Pi different 

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 velocity of as much as 3.6 GHz

Libre Pc 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

Typically you simply must get on with a mission, so you purchase an inexpensive single-board laptop. However if you wish to put money into higher {hardware}, you need to just remember to’re not throwing cash away. To seek out the very best SBC for you, I counsel beginning with a transparent concept of the initiatives you may use it for. This may be the laborious half, nevertheless it’s well worth the time. If you happen to confuse your use goal, you could get derailed partway via 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 you should use? This SBC information presents the very best Raspberry alternate options, so yow will discover the board that matches your finances and desires.

Select this SBC…If you’d like…Asus Tinker Board S R2.0The finest different general. Whereas it has a value level on the upper facet, the Asus Tinker Board has every part you want for a wide range of initiatives. Libre Pc Board AML-2905X-CC (Le Potato)A finances possibility for hobbyists and fans. This Libre mannequin is a superb Raspberry Pi different for individuals who need to find out about SBCs with out spending a fortune.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 V3A high-end SBC with the form of efficiency you’d anticipate from a desktop laptop. It is costly, however the velocity and assist for VR, AR, and AI initiatives might make it value it.Orange Pi 5A single board laptop arrange for video, media, and AI assist. The Orange Pi 5 helps as much as 8K video processing at 60 fps.

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The Raspberry Pi is a superb piece of {hardware}, nevertheless it’s been constructed inside particular constraints that allow mass attraction. These SBCs take what the Raspberry Pi delivered to the desk additional with options that mean you can customise your expertise. 

Our listing consists of choices personally examined by ZDNET authors and highly-recommended merchandise primarily based on buyer critiques and suggestions. 

The Raspberry Pi remains to be the very best place to start out if you wish to get expertise with a single-board laptop. 

Additionally: Struggling to purchase a Raspberry Pi? It might change into rather a lot simpler

These alternate options are an amazing subsequent step if you wish to broaden your SBC data. The Raspberry Pi is a superb device for familiarizing your self with the setup and GPIO pins. You possibly can work via the fundamentals from there!

There are numerous choices. You could find a variety of generic instances on the market to guard your Raspberry Pi or different SBC, and I like to recommend getting one. In any case, if you happen to’re investing in an SBC, it is best to shield it. 

Additionally, if you happen to can drive a 3D printer, you then’ll have an infinite provide of them!

You possibly can attempt to waterproof the case by utilizing seals or silicone grease. You can additionally spray the board with conformal coating to withstand moisture. 

However past these steps, there isn’t any technique to make them utterly waterproof.

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 below are some appropriate alternate options: 

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Arduino UNO REV3 – Save 5%

The Arduino UNO REV3 is a improbable entry-level possibility.

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Odroid-XU4 – Shares transfer shortly

The Odroid-XU4 single-board laptop is a superb board for a wide range of initiatives.

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Beagleboard PocketBeagle BeagleBone – Primarily based on Octavo programs

PocketBeagle is a compact but highly effective USB key-fob laptop.

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