Banana Pi Pro Vs Raspberry Pi 3
The world of single-board computers is booming with innovations and new releases every day. Two popular choices among developers and enthusiasts are the Banana Pi Pro and Raspberry Pi 3. Both of these boards offer similar functionalities and specifications, but there are some critical differences that set them apart. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Banana Pi Pro vs. Raspberry Pi 3, comparing the two boards in terms of features, performances, and usability.
Overview
The Banana Pi Pro and Raspberry Pi 3 are both credit card-sized computers that can be used for a wide range of applications. Banana Pi Pro is a product of SinoVoip, a Chinese company while Raspberry Pi 3 is manufactured by the Raspberry Pi Foundation located in the United Kingdom. Raspberry Pi 3 is the successor to Raspberry Pi 2, while Banana Pi Pro is an upgrade to the original Banana Pi. Both boards run on ARM processors and support Linux-based operating systems.
Specifications
Banana Pi Pro is powered by a 1GHz dual-core A20 ARM Cortex A7 processor with 1GB DDR3 SDRAM. It has two USB 2.0 ports, a MicroSD card slot, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an onboard Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n module with Bluetooth support. The board also features an HDMI port for video output, an IR receiver, and a microphone.
Raspberry Pi 3, on the other hand, sports a 1.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor and 1GB RAM. It has four USB 2.0 ports, a MicroSD card slot, an HDMI port, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 BLE support. The board also includes a CSI camera port and a DSI display port.
Performance
The performance of both boards is quite impressive, but Raspberry Pi 3 takes the lead thanks to its 64-bit quad-core processor. Raspberry Pi 3 is almost 50% faster than Banana Pi Pro, especially when it comes to multitasking and running demanding applications. The onboard Wi-Fi module of Banana Pi Pro is also slower than Raspberry Pi 3's Wi-Fi, making Raspberry Pi the better choice for wireless connectivity.
Usability
When it comes to usability, Raspberry Pi 3 is the clear winner. Raspberry Pi 3 has an extensive user community and a wide range of official and third-party accessories available. The Raspberry Pi Foundation also provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and support, making it easier for even beginners to get started. Banana Pi Pro, on the other hand, has a smaller user base and limited resources, making it less beginner-friendly.
Conclusion
Both Banana Pi Pro and Raspberry Pi 3 are excellent single-board computers with unique features and capabilities. Choosing between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a beginner-friendly board with extensive resources and support, Raspberry Pi 3 is the clear choice. If you need more processing power and a wider range of connectivity options, Banana Pi Pro might be the better option.