If you've been trying to get a Raspberry Pi at a reasonable price without success, take a look at this YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJvCVw1yONQ) by Linux Tech Tips (https://www.youtube.com/@LinusTechTips) goes through a roundup of alternatives to the Raspberry Pi 4. While the video is about 15 minutes in length it seems quicker with Linus's rapid-fire delivery. The video is also broken down by SBC (Single Board Computer) model in the description so you can hop to what you're most interested in. From what I understand the alternatives are capable of running either some Linux distributions or the Raspberry Pi OS specifically. If your interest leans towards the Orange Pi, check out Bill's topic about the Orange Pi 5 here (https://plugintolinux.ca/forum/index.php/topic,1767.0.html).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJvCVw1yONQ
What alternative, if any, interests you the most?
You basically have 3 choices:
- Odroid
- BeagleBone Black
- Raspberry Pi
because they are the only ones with vendor support for OS firmware.
Quote from: William on February 18, 2023, 07:10:08 AM
You basically have 3 choices:
- Odroid
- BeagleBone Black
- Raspberry Pi
because they are the only ones with vendor support for OS firmware.
If that's your concern, sure, I guess. It's not something I've ever considered. But when you say vendor support, do you mean tech support or updates
The OS firmware on the SBCs is updated from two others I checked for - the Orange Pi and the Rock Pi. Vendors usually don't offer much tech support anyway. Unless you're an OEM buying in volume. They're not going to give you much help for a $25-100 device, at least not at the level needed for most people playing with these.
What kind of support are you looking for? Are you doing special products with these SBCs?
Looks like the Rock SBC is offering support until 2025:
https://wiki.radxa.com/Rock4/FAQs
I would also draw your attention to a YouTuber that runs the " Explaining Computers channel. His name is Christopher Barnett and he is an instructor of computer studies in the UK. His reviews are verrrry concise and easy to understand. I have been considering a SBC outfit but there have been some shortages which have led to price increases. As time goes on I am drifting more towards Intel-based MAC systems. Mainly for the quality of the hardware and ease of use. I am intrigued however with some of the 6-core SBC's that have been introduced. Cheers.
Must Intel-based Mac systems run Linux very well. I'm typing this on one. But I also had Ubuntu running on two Mac minis, a MacBook Pro and two older iMacs (2010 and 2011). The only problem I ever had on an Intel Mac was on my 2015 iMac, which for some reason took 4 minutes to boot up Ubuntu. Even that one ran a version of Linux Mint with a particular kernel (can't remember the kernel number) like a champ.