Thanks to the popularity of the awesome Raspberry Pi mini PC which has taken the world by storm, Intel has developed their own mini PC in the form of the open source Intel Minnowboard.
The Intel Minnowboard is equipped with a 1GHz Atom E640 processor with integrated graphics, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and 4MB of Flash firmware and is priced at a massive $199 when compared to the $35 price of the Raspberry Pi mini PC.
Features and Capabilities
Scott Garman, embedded Linux engineer at Intel’s Open Source Technology Center, explains a little more about the development of the new Intel Minnowboard bare-bones mini PC. Also watch the video after the jump to learn more.
“Where the Minnowboard really shines is in its I/O performance,”-“Powered by PCI Express, you can make full use of SATA disk support and gigabit Ethernet for high throughput applications such as file servers or network appliances.”
The Minnowboard’s robust I/O capabilities make it an excellent choice for developers and hobbyists who require more from their mini PC. Unlike the Raspberry Pi, which is often used for basic computing tasks and educational purposes, the Minnowboard is designed to handle more demanding applications. Its PCI Express interface allows for the addition of various peripherals, making it highly versatile. For instance, users can connect high-speed storage devices via SATA or set up a high-performance network server using its gigabit Ethernet port.
Comparing to Raspberry Pi
While the Raspberry Pi has been a favorite among educators and hobbyists due to its affordability and ease of use, the Minnowboard targets a different segment of the market. The $199 price tag reflects its advanced features and capabilities. The Raspberry Pi’s ARM-based architecture is suitable for lightweight tasks, but the Minnowboard’s x86 architecture opens up a broader range of software compatibility, including many applications that are traditionally run on desktop PCs.
Intel has partnered with CircuitCo Electronics to sell their new $199 Intel Minnowboard which is now available to purchase and was first unveiled back in May of this year.
Use Cases and Applications
The Minnowboard is particularly well-suited for use in embedded systems, IoT (Internet of Things) applications, and as a development platform for software engineers. Its open-source nature means that developers have full access to the board’s schematics and design files, allowing for extensive customization and optimization. This makes it an ideal choice for creating custom hardware solutions or for use in research and development projects.
For example, a company developing a new smart home device could use the Minnowboard as the core of their system, taking advantage of its powerful processing capabilities and extensive I/O options to integrate various sensors and control mechanisms. Similarly, a network engineer could use the Minnowboard to build a high-performance router or firewall, leveraging its gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express interfaces to achieve superior network performance.
Community and Support
One of the significant advantages of the Minnowboard is the strong community support that comes with it. Intel’s Open Source Technology Center actively engages with the developer community, providing resources, forums, and documentation to help users get the most out of their Minnowboard. This level of support is crucial for developers who are looking to push the boundaries of what is possible with their mini PC.
In conclusion, while the Intel Minnowboard may come with a higher price tag compared to the Raspberry Pi, its advanced features, robust I/O capabilities, and strong community support make it a compelling choice for developers and hobbyists looking for a powerful and versatile mini PC.
Source: The Register
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