If you are searching for an ultra small micro
computer for your next project might be interested in the mini PC created by
FriendlyELEC called the NanoPi NEO Core. Measuring chest 41 x 41 mm in size the
microcomputer is equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor and is
available to purchase for just US$ 8. If your budget can stretch there is also a
$25 version which is equipped with a 64-bit Allwinner H5 ARM Cortex-A53 and
more memory and takes the form of the NanoPi NEO Core2 with 1GB RAM and 8GB
eMMC. While the NanoPi Neo Core comes equipped with 256MB of DDR3 RAM and no
storage, but both models support microSD cards up to 64GB.
Other features of the mini PC include an optional US$ 11 Mini Shield accessory that gives you extra ports plus an M.2 2242 SSD slot
if you would prefer not to get involved with setting GPIO pins. Specifications
include :
• SoC – Allwinner H3 quad core ARM Cortex-A7
processor up to 1.2GHz with Mali-400MP GPU
• System Memory – 256MB or 512MB DDR3 RAM
• Storage – NC/8GB/16GB/32GB eMMC flash, micro SD
slot
• USB – 1x micro USB OTG port also used for power
input
• Expansion – 2x 2.54mm pitch 24-pin headers, 1x
2.54mm pitch 20-pin header exposing:
◦ Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet
◦ USB – 3x USB Host port
◦ 4-pin debug serial port
◦ 4-pin audio input/output port
◦ UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, IR etc…
• Power Supply – 5V/2A
• Dimensions – 40 x 40mm
• Temperature measuring range – -40℃ to 80℃
The 64-bit version of the board has basically the
same specifications, except for the different processor, more memory, and an
extra Realtek RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet transceiver:
• SoC – Allwinner H5 quad core ARM Cortex-A53
processor with a Mali-450MP GPU
• System Memory – 512MB or 1GB DDR3 RAM
• Storage – 8GB/16GB/32GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot
• USB – 1x micro USB OTG port also used for power
input
• Expansion – 2x 2.54mm pitch 24-pin headers, 1x
2.54mm pitch 20-pin header exposing:
◦ Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet via RTL8211E
transceiver
◦ USB – 3x USB Host port
◦ 4-pin debug serial port
◦ 4-pin audio input/output port
◦ UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, IR, etc…
• Misc – 2x LEDs for power and system status
• Power Supply – 5V/2A
• Dimensions – 40 x 40mm
• Temperature measuring range – -40℃ to 80℃
