Banana Pi M5 Vs Raspberry Pi 4
Single-board computers have become a popular tool for DIY projects, prototyping, and educational purposes. Among the most popular SBCs available in the market are the Banana Pi and Raspberry Pi. In this article, we will compare two latest models of SBCs, Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4. We will evaluate their specifications, features, and price to determine which one is better suited for your needs.
The Specifications of Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4
The Banana Pi M5 has impressive hardware specifications. It uses an ARM Cortex-A73 quad-core processor with a clock speed of 2 GHz, supported by 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. It has four USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.0 port that supports 4K resolution. It also has a built-in PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD interface, making it an ideal choice for high-speed data transfer applications.
On the other hand, Raspberry Pi 4 is also equipped with impressive hardware specifications. It uses a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz, supported by up to 8 GB of RAM. It has two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and two micro-HDMI ports that support up to 4K resolution. It also has a dual-band 802.11ac wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
In terms of hardware specifications, both the Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4 are top-notch, but the Banana Pi M5 edges out the Raspberry Pi 4 in terms of processor speed and RAM capacity.
The Features of Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4
Both SBCs support a variety of operating systems, including Linux and Android, but the Raspberry Pi 4 supports more operating systems than the Banana Pi M5. The Raspberry Pi 4 also has a larger community support base, which means more resources, tutorials, and documentation are available online.
The Banana Pi M5 features a unique design with a small LCD screen that displays its IP address and system status, making it easier to monitor its operations. It also has a built-in RTC battery for real-time clock functions, which adds convenience to DIY projects that require time-sensitive tasks. Additionally, its PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD interface makes it a better choice for applications that require high-speed data transfer.
The Raspberry Pi 4, on the other hand, has a more streamlined design with more GPIO pins and a wider variety of ports. It offers a dual-display support with two HDMI ports, making it an ideal choice for digital signage and display projects. It also has a 40-pin GPIO header that provides more options for customization and expansion.
The Price of Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4
The price of the Banana Pi M5 varies depending on where you purchase it. At the time of writing, it costs around $98 on Amazon. Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi 4 is cheaper, with prices starting at $35 for the base model with 2 GB of RAM.
Conclusion
Both the Banana Pi M5 and Raspberry Pi 4 are impressive SBCs with their own unique features and capabilities. If you require more processing power, RAM capacity, and high-speed data transfer capabilities, then the Banana Pi M5 is the better choice. However, if you prioritize community support, versatility, and lower cost, then the Raspberry Pi 4 is the way to go. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs and budget.