Banana Pi M64 Vs Raspberry Pi 4
When it comes to single-board computers, the Raspberry Pi has long been the go-to choice for makers and developers. But in recent years, a new contender has emerged: the Banana Pi M64. In this article, we'll take a close look at these two SBCs and compare their features, specs, and performance to help you decide which one is right for you.
Overview
The Raspberry Pi 4 was released in June 2019 and comes in three different models: 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB RAM. It features a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz. The board also has dual-band 802.11ac wireless networking, Bluetooth 5.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and dual-monitor support via two micro-HDMI ports.
The Banana Pi M64, on the other hand, is powered by an Allwinner A64 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 64-bit SoC with a clock speed of 1.2 GHz. It has 2GB of RAM, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and four USB 2.0 ports. The board also has a SATA port for connecting a hard drive or SSD.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Raspberry Pi 4 is the clear winner. With its faster processor and more RAM, it can handle more demanding tasks with ease. The Banana Pi M64 is still a capable SBC, but it's better suited for less demanding applications like media centers or file servers.
That being said, the Banana Pi M64 has a few advantages of its own. The SATA port allows you to connect a faster, more reliable storage device than the microSD card used by the Raspberry Pi. And the gigabit Ethernet ensures fast, reliable network performance.
Compatibility
One of the Raspberry Pi's greatest strengths is its massive community of users and developers. This has led to a huge ecosystem of software, tutorials, and projects built specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The Banana Pi M64, while still popular, doesn't have nearly the same level of support.
That being said, both boards are compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Raspbian, Ubuntu, and Android. And both have a plethora of GPIO pins for connecting to sensors, motors, and other peripherals.
Price
When it comes to price, the Banana Pi M64 has a slight advantage. It typically retails for around $30, while the Raspberry Pi 4 starts at $35 for the 2GB model and goes up to $75 for the 8GB model.
Of course, the cost of the board is just one factor to consider. You'll also need to factor in the cost of peripherals like a power supply, SD card or SATA drive, and a case.
Conclusion
In the end, the choice between the Raspberry Pi 4 and the Banana Pi M64 comes down to your specific needs and budget. If you need a capable SBC for demanding tasks like gaming or machine learning, the Raspberry Pi 4 is the clear choice. But if you're looking for a more affordable option that can still handle basic tasks like media playback or file serving, the Banana Pi M64 is a solid choice.