Tell me if this is an offer you could pass up. (I can’t.) An Intel Atom x5-E8000 or Celeron N3160 quad-core CPU, up to 8GB DDR3L dual-channel RAM, 8GB of eMMC storage, and enough power to “drive up to three 4K screens at the same time” with a starting price of $89.
While that may sound like the specs of a new netbook, it’s actually a newly introduced dev board from UDOO, the UDOO X86, and it’s set to become king of the hill of all single board computers (SBCs).
Like the Raspberry Pi, it’s basically a credit card-sized PC that can run almost any flavor OS, including Windows (7, 8, and 10), Linux (in multiple flavors) and Android, however the integrated Arduino 101 platform gives the UDOO X86 the benefit of being a full development system as well.
The technical details and features of the X86 are extensive: for connector and ports, the board includes a Gigabit Ethernet connection, M.2 Key E slot (for wireless adapters), 3 X USB 3.0, SATA, Micro SD, 2 X UART, HDMI, 2 X mini Display Port, Mic/Headphone jack, Speaker and S/PDIF port.
The graphics are handled by one of three Intel IGPs from the Airmont/Braswell HD400/405 family based on the board version, which includes the UDOO X86 Basic, Advanced or Ultra. The company’s Kickstarter video claims they ‘can play every game, even the latest ones on PC and stream them live’, however they don’t say at what resolution so don’t expect to play The Witcher 3 or Doom at 4K or 1080p for that matter with all the bells and whistles maxed out. However, it does have a few USB 3 ports, which could give a future option of external graphics cards. So, perhaps some Doom at a later date.
Here is why this board is a slam dunk from the 3-point line. Makers and developers will like the added Arduino 101 platform that’s integrated into the X86, allowing them to connect most any Arduino Shield or Module to use acros a plethora of hardware projects. It also features 14 digital GPIO as well as a 6-axis combo sensor with accelerometer and gyroscope, furthering its use as a dev board.
UDOO easily blew past their crowd-funding goal of $100,000, with over 7-times the amount pledge. You can visit the Kickstarter campaign to snag the Basic model for $89, Advanced model for $129 and the Ultra model for $209. Here’s a quick comparison of the features across each.
