Last Updated on May 18, 2023 by pg@petergamma.org
As far as the case he developed, eventually yes.
But software support for the Raxda zero is poor, which is not Robertos fault.
But why not to choose another SBC computer for Robertos case?
Roberto has developed a laptop based on the Radxa zero:
http://ralsina.me/weblog/posts/so-i-built-a-laptop.html
- It looks like a vintage Tandy Model 100:
- But it is one of the view SBC instructions with a keyboard and a screen.
- Roberto Alsina did a great job.
- His instruction reminds to a Pinephone with keyboard.
- It is as if he has developed a Pinephone alternative based on as SBC for mobile computing.
- But does mobile computing work on this device, for instance with Python?
- Robertos instruction is done with much love.
Roberto started in late 2021, spent the last 16 months or so working on it, and recently published his instruction.This is a long period of development and should be honored. Roberto is one of the view developers who has build a device from a SBC for a practical application which offers somethin new. And that is a case with a keyboard and a screen. The device looks quiet basic, but it is a building block which can be developed further.
Issues for us personally:
Roberto mentioned that these applications run on his device:
- web browser Falkon
- Youtube video playback
- lightweight graphical desktop
- terminal apps like a champ
- Edit text and write code
Who is happy with such basic functionality in 2023? But the problem is eventually the Raxda zero. Micro Linux showed on his YouTube channel many videos what runs on the Raxda zero. But Micro Linux shows mainly games. And we do not know of other reviewers who show much more applications for the Radxa zero. Eventually, it would be better to replace the Radxa zero with another SBC, which offers more applications which can run on it.
These limitations are not Robertos fault. Eventually another developer develops the device further, for instance with an Orange Pi 5 or a Mango Pi MQ quad instead of a Raxda zero.
An option would also be the Raspberry Pi zero 2w. Leepspvideo and others have shown that applications like Libre Office can run on the device. The Raspberry Pi zero 2w offers little RAM, but it draws also little power, in is therefore a good candidate for a mobile SBC.
But the Raspberry Pi zero 2w works also with Bluetooth, is currently hardly available for more than 100 USD, and was 15 USD at the beginning. An alternative would therefore be highly desirable, as for instance the Mango Pi MQ quad.
But also the Mango Pi MQ quad lacks a proof of which applications run on the device. We miss a list of applications which run on each SBC which can be an alternative to Raspberry Pi’s.
Another option to update this example is Banana Pi M2 Zero running Armban:
- There is a lot of work for video makers and developer which has to be done to offer a device which is interesting for costumers.
- We had a lot of work, too to reviewing those.
- But we still haven’t found what we are looking for.
- The result of our reviews was for instance taht the price for the LattePanda Delta increased for a about 220 USD at Digitec Switzerland.
- To punish reviewers for their reviews by an increase of price is something which we cannot follow.
- And which buyers follow manufacturers who shoot up prices for SBC which are little developed as for instance the LattePanda Delta with Linuux?.
- There are a lot of competitors in the SBC market, and most of them are little developed.
- A manufacturer who increases prices for a device which is little developed, is he interested at all in selling SBCs?
- We suppose that prizes for SBCs will rather trop, since there are a lot of competitors on the market.
What is your opinion about this topic? Did you find a good alternative to Raspberry Pi? Share it in the comments below.
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