If you're looking for an ultra-small computer for your next project, you might be interested in the mini PC created by FriendELEC called the NanoPi NEO Core. Measuring 41 x 41 mm, the microcomputer is equipped with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor and is available for sale for just $8. If your budget allows, there's also a $25 version that's equipped with a 64-bit Allwinner H5 ARM Cortex-A53 and more memory, and it comes in the form of the NanoPi NEO Core2 with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of eMMC. The NanoPi Neo Core is 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 the optional $11 Mini Shield accessory that gives you additional ports and an M.2 2242 SSD slot if you don't want to bother with GPIO pin assignment. Specifications include:
- SoC – Allwinner H3 ARM Cortex-A7 quad-core 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 port – 1x micro USB OTG 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
◦ USB port- 3x USB Host port
◦ 4-pin serial debug port
◦ 4-pin input/output port
◦ UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, IR etc..
- Power supply – 5V / 2A
- Dimensions – 40 x 40mm
- Temperature measurement range – -40℃ to 80℃
The 64-bit version has the same specifications, except for the different processor, more memory, and an additional Realtek RTL8211E Gigabit Ethernet transceiver:
- SoC – Allwinner H5 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with Mali-450MP GPU
- System Memory – 512MB or 1GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage – 8GB / 16GB / 32GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot
- USB port – 1x micro USB OTG also used for power input
- Extension – 2x 2.54 mm 24-pin headers, 1x 2.54 mm 20-pin angled header exposing:
◦ Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet via RTL8211E transceiver
◦USB- 3x USB Host port
◦ 4-pin serial debug port
◦ 4-pin input/output port
◦ UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, IR, etc..
- Miscellaneous – 2x LEDs for power and system status
- Power supply – 5V / 2A
- Dimensions – 40 x 40mm
- Temperature measurement range – -40℃ to 80℃
If you're interested in Pi projects, you might want to check out our full list of Raspberry Pi demos, HATS, and small displays.
