Asus Launched Tinker Board, its specifications make it a strong competitor of Raspberry Pi with almost double the powered features and a slightly increased price.
It has been rumored for a long time that single-chip computers will be introduced to replace personal PCs. While not as powerful as modern computers, these tiny computers offer exceptional performance and reliable operations at a remarkably low price. Raspberry Pi models were introduced into the embedded market and became popular among hobbyists for their hardware capabilities, compact size, and media streaming features.
With the release of the Raspberry Pi 3 model, Raspberry Pi added features like wireless support and additional RAM for easy streaming and wireless internet connectivity. However, one common issue with the Raspberry Pi 3 is its 40 nm processor, which tends to heat up during high I/O operations. Asus, the Taiwanese company, addressed this issue with the Asus Tinker Board.
Asus representatives stated that they considered Raspberry Pi models when creating the Tinker Board. With Raspberry Pi’s success, they aimed to provide developers with a choice by launching the Tinker Board. Asus also addressed the heating issue of the chip. The Tinker Board supports 4K resolution for enhanced graphics and boasts a CPU performance superior to the Raspberry Pi. Ethernet protocols are faster, and it has more RAM.
In terms of physical dimensions, the Tinker Board occupies the same space as the Raspberry Pi while offering enhanced performance and hardware. The arrangement of connectors and GPIO pins is the same as the Raspberry Pi, but the advanced specifications of the Tinker Board open up possibilities for projects that were impossible to implement in the Raspberry Pi’s updated version.
Asus Tinker Board Vs Raspberry Pi 3 Model B 3
Comparing the Tinker Board with the latest Raspberry Pi 3 Model B 3 reveals that it is much faster and more powerful. The key advantage is the faster processor, a Quad Core Rock Chip RK3288 1.8 GHz with a Mali T-764 GPU. It comes with 2 GB of RAM and provides complete support for hardware acceleration of H. 264 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
In terms of network connectivity, the Asus Tinker Board is equipped with a strong Giga-bit Ethernet controller. Its sound system is also better than the Raspberry Pi 3, supporting audio streams of 192 KHz/24 Bit. Additionally, it offers the option to attach an extra antenna for better wireless connectivity. Asus also promised to add many features for GPIO Raspberry Pi extensions.
Disadvantages of the New Device
There are only two disadvantages to the new Tinker Board. First is the increased power consumption. When the CPU and GPU of this device are running at full capacity, it can consume up to 10 Watts, requiring heat sinks and cooling fans, especially in hotter areas. The second drawback is the limited software database. Currently, its operating system is based on Debian. However, it is expected that with time, support for the Linux Kernel and even Android 7.0 will also be available on the Tinker Board.
What Is the Price of Asus Tinker Board?
The new Tinker Board is available in the market for about 55 Euros, which is competitive with the $35 price of the Raspberry Pi’s new model, despite offering more powerful hardware and features. It’s up to developers to decide whether to adopt this new competitor to Raspberry Pi based on cost-effective solutions or to take advantage of its more powerful features.
Source: Asus
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