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$39 Arduino Compatible Boardset Runs Linux On New x86 SoC
DeviceGuru writes "DM&P Group has begun shipping a $39 Arduino compatible boardset and similar mini-PC equipped with a new computer-on-module based on a new 300MHz x86 compatible Vortex86EX system-on-chip. The $39 86Duino Zero boardset mimics an Arduino Leonardo, in terms of both form-factor and I/O expansion. The tiny $49 86Duino Educake mini-PC incorportates the same functionality, but in a 78 x 70 x 29mm enclosure with an integrated I/O expansion breadboard built into its top surface. The mini-PC's front and back provide 2x USB, audio in/out, Ethernet, and COM interfaces, power input, and an SD card slot. The hardware and software source for all the boards, including the computer-on-module, are available for download under open source licenses at the 86Duino.com website."
More expensive than a Raspberry PI, with a slower processor.
I'm sick and tired of seeing the Raspberry Pi, which is essentially a black box run by a binary blob both fully controlled by Broadcom, being compared to proper open source and open hardware platforms, such as Arduino, OLinuXino, Beagleboard and others. Yes they are more expensive for what they do, but that is the cost of not being locked down to proprietary hardware. I'm glad 86Duino and in particular its Vortex86EX SoC is truly open.
Add in the community that has grown up around the Raspberry and I know where my money will be going.
I know where my money goes: to platforms that unreservedly foster education, both civic and technical.