2023 Best Raspberry Pi Alternative: $35 2GB Libre Computer Board

2023 Best Raspberry Pi Alternative: $35 2GB Libre Computer Board Le Potato 2023.

Le Potato AML-S905X-CC is most budget alternative to Raspberry Pi that is worth considering, only $35 in Amazon even it doesn’t come with WiFi, but WiFi is not necessary if you want to use it as a server.

It is a single-board computer that is based on the Amlogic S905X SoC, which features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor and Mali-450 graphics.

Le Potato also comes with 2GB of DDR3 memory, Ethernet connectivity, and HDMI output.

Moreover, you can use two parts of Raspberry Pi for Le Potato:

MicroUSB power supply
Cases ( Le Potato can use almost all cases of Raspberry Pi, so you can easily get cases from market.)

2023 Best Raspberry Pi Alternative: $35 2GB Libre Computer Board

One advantage of Le Potato over Raspberry Pi is its support for 4K video playback and H.265 decoding.

It also comes with a more powerful GPU, which makes it suitable for gaming and multimedia applications.

Additionally, Le Potato has a low power consumption, making it ideal for use in embedded systems and IoT projects.

However, it is worth noting that Le Potato is not as popular as Raspberry Pi, which means that there may be fewer resources and community support available for it.

Also, while it is more powerful than some Raspberry Pi models, it may not be as versatile as some of the newer models, such as the Raspberry Pi 4.

Overall, Le Potato AML-S905X-CC is a capable alternative to Raspberry Pi, and it may be a good choice for those who need more powerful graphics capabilities and 4K video playback.

However, users should consider their specific needs and requirements before deciding on a particular single-board computer.

Specification:

Amlogic S905X SoC
- 4 ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.512GHz
  - Cryptography Extension
- 2G + 3P ARM Mali-450 @ 750MHz
  - OpenGL ES 1.1 / 2.0
  - OpenVG 1.1
- Amlogic Video Engine 10
  - Decoders
    - VP9 P2 4K60
    - H.265 MP10 @L5.1 4K60
    - H.264 HP @L5.1 4K30
    - JPEG / MJPEG
  - Encoders
    - H.264 1080P60
    - JPEG
Up to 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
4 USB 2.0 Type A
100 Mb Fast Ethernet
3.5mm TRRS AV Jack
HDMI 2.0
MicroUSB Power In
MicroSD Card Slot
eMMC Interface
IR Receiver
U-Boot Button
40 Pin Low Speed Header (PWM, I2C, SPI, GPIO)
Audio Headers (I2S, ADC, SPDIF)
UART Header

GPIO Header Pin 11 or HDMI CEC is selectable by onboard jumper. They can not be used at the same time since they share the same pad.

What’s the difference between the processors on Le Potato and Raspberry Pi 4?

CPU Cores:

The Amlogic S905X has four ARM Cortex-A53 cores with a clock speed of up to 1.5GHz.
The Broadcom BCM2711 has four ARM Cortex-A72 cores with a clock speed of up to 1.5GHz.

GPU:

The Amlogic S905X features a Mali-450 graphics processor with a clock speed of up to 750MHz.
The Broadcom BCM2711 features a VideoCore VI graphics processor with a clock speed of up to 500MHz.

Memory:

The Le Potato has 2GB of DDR3 memory.
The Raspberry Pi 4 is available with 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM.

The Amlogic S905X SoC on Le Potato and the Broadcom BCM2711 SoC on Raspberry Pi 4 are both quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processors.

However, there are some differences between them in terms of clock speed and manufacturing process.

The Amlogic S905X SoC on Le Potato has a clock speed of 1.5 GHz, while the Broadcom BCM2711 SoC on Raspberry Pi 4 has a clock speed of 1.5 GHz (for the 2GB and 4GB models) or 1.8 GHz (for the 8GB model). This means that Raspberry Pi 4 has a slight advantage in terms of CPU speed.

In terms of manufacturing process, the Amlogic S905X SoC is manufactured using a 28nm process, while the Broadcom BCM2711 SoC is manufactured using a 12nm process.

This means that Raspberry Pi 4 is more power-efficient than Le Potato, which is important in applications where power consumption is a concern.

Overall, both the Amlogic S905X SoC on Le Potato and the Broadcom BCM2711 SoC on Raspberry Pi 4 are capable processors that can handle a wide range of applications.

Raspberry Pi 4 has a slight advantage in terms of CPU speed and power efficiency, but Le Potato may have an advantage in certain applications due to its support for 4K video playback and more powerful GPU.

Ultimately, the choice of single-board computer will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.

2023 Best Raspberry Pi Alternative: $35 2GB Libre Computer Board. It is a single-board computer that is based on the Amlogic S905X SoC, which features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor and Mali-450 graphics.

What Linux can be installed on Le Potato with Amlogic S905X?

Le Potato supports several Linux distributions, including:

Ubuntu: Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is well-supported on Le Potato. The latest version of Ubuntu (20.04 LTS) includes support for the Amlogic S905X SoC and can be installed on Le Potato using the official Ubuntu image.
Armbian: Armbian is a lightweight Linux distribution that is designed for ARM-based single-board computers. It supports Le Potato and includes a range of features and optimizations for embedded systems and IoT applications.
LibreELEC: LibreELEC is a Linux distribution that is designed for media center applications. It includes support for Kodi, a popular media player, and can be installed on Le Potato for use as a home theater PC.
Lakka: Lakka is a lightweight Linux distribution that is designed for retro gaming applications. It includes support for a range of retro gaming consoles and can be installed on Le Potato for use as a retro gaming console.
DietPi: DietPi is a lightweight Linux distribution that is designed for single-board computers. It includes a range of optimized software packages and can be installed on Le Potato for use in embedded systems and IoT applications.

These are just a few examples of the Linux distributions that are available for Le Potato.

Users can choose the distribution that best suits their needs and requirements.

2023 Best Raspberry Pi Alternative: $35 2GB Libre Computer Board

Download Firmware

Another budget alternative

Orange Pi One with Allwiner H3 processor and 1GB RAM, but Orange Pi One needs 3.5mm power supply and special case, which is provided only by the manufacturer.