Banana Pi M3 Vs Raspberry Pi 3
When it comes to single-board computers, two names stand out – Banana Pi M3 and Raspberry Pi 3. These two boards are quite popular among developers and hobbyists due to their versatility, affordability, and ease of use. Both boards have their pros and cons, and choosing between them can be a difficult task. In this article, we will compare Banana Pi M3 and Raspberry Pi 3 to help you make a more informed decision.
Overview of Banana Pi M3
Banana Pi M3 is a single-board computer developed by the Chinese company Sinovoip. It is based on the Allwinner A83T SoC, which has a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. The board has 2GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and other connectivity options. Banana Pi M3 runs on a variety of operating systems, including Android and Linux. The board measures 92mm x 60mm x 19mm and weighs around 48g.
Overview of Raspberry Pi 3
Raspberry Pi 3 is a popular single-board computer developed by the British company Raspberry Pi Foundation. It is based on the Broadcom BCM2837B0 SoC, which has a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor and a VideoCore IV GPU. The board has 1GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and other connectivity options. Raspberry Pi 3 runs on various operating systems, including Raspbian, a Debian-based Linux distribution. The board measures 85mm x 56mm x 17mm and weighs around 45g.
CPU and GPU
Both Banana Pi M3 and Raspberry Pi 3 have quad-core processors. However, there is a difference in the architecture of the two boards’ processors. Banana Pi M3 uses the Allwinner A83T SoC, which has a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi 3 uses the Broadcom BCM2837B0 SoC, which has a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor. Cortex-A53 is a newer and more powerful architecture compared to Cortex-A7. Therefore, Raspberry Pi 3 has a more powerful CPU compared to Banana Pi M3.
When it comes to GPU, Raspberry Pi 3 uses the VideoCore IV GPU, while Banana Pi M3 uses the PowerVR SGX544 GPU. VideoCore IV is a more powerful GPU compared to PowerVR SGX544. Therefore, Raspberry Pi 3 has a better GPU compared to Banana Pi M3. However, both boards are capable of running 1080p videos without any issues.
Memory and Storage
Banana Pi M3 has 2GB of RAM, which is twice the amount of RAM that Raspberry Pi 3 has. This means that Banana Pi M3 can handle more tasks simultaneously compared to Raspberry Pi 3. However, both boards have a MicroSD card slot for storage expansion. Raspberry Pi 3 also has an advantage in terms of storage since it has a built-in MicroSD card reader. On the other hand, Banana Pi M3 requires an external MicroSD card reader.
Connectivity
Both boards have similar connectivity options, such as Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. However, Banana Pi M3 has an advantage in terms of USB ports since it has four USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi 3 has only four USB 2.0 ports. Banana Pi M3 also has an advantage in terms of audio since it has a built-in microphone input and a separate audio output jack. Raspberry Pi 3 has only a combined audio jack.
Price
When it comes to price, Raspberry Pi 3 is the winner. Raspberry Pi 3 costs around $35, which is very affordable compared to other single-board computers on the market. On the other hand, Banana Pi M3 costs around $70, which is almost double the price of Raspberry Pi 3. Therefore, if you are on a tight budget, Raspberry Pi 3 is the better option.
Conclusion
Both Banana Pi M3 and Raspberry Pi 3 are great single-board computers with their own strengths and weaknesses. If you need more RAM and USB ports, then Banana Pi M3 is the better option. On the other hand, if you need a more powerful CPU and GPU, then Raspberry Pi 3 is the better option. Raspberry Pi 3 is also the more affordable option compared to Banana Pi M3. Ultimately, your choice between the two boards will depend on your specific needs and budget.