$15 Pine 64 Device Set to Compete with Raspberry Pi

As we've noted here before, when it comes to top open source stories of the past couple of years, it's clear that one of the biggest is the proliferation of tiny, inexpensive Linux-based computers at some of the smallest form factors ever seen. The diminutive, credit card-sized Raspberry Pi, which has been priced at only $25 and $35, has grabbed most of the headlines in this space, and recently came out in a new version with a more powerful 64-bit CPU, and for the first time, built-in wireless functionality. It sells for $35.

Now, there may be stiff competition looming. A new $15 miniature computer that could challenge Raspberry Pi 3 is shipping. The Pine 64 has mostly the same specs as the Pi 3, and a version with wireless functionality is available for $29. Here are details. 

The Pine 64 was launched with a Kickstarter campaign, and you can read more about it in its online forum.  Its developers say they are shipping 500 to 700 units a day--nothing to shake a stick at.

The Kickstarter page for the device billls it as "the world's first 64-bit expandable Quad Core 1.2Ghz supercomputer, tablet, media center, and more... starting at just $15."

According to Computerworld:

"The Pine 64 is similar to Raspberry Pi 3 (Amazon price)  in many respects. It has a 64-bit ARM-based Cortex A53 CPU, MicroSD slot, Ethernet and HDMI ports. But Pine 64 has better graphics, with an ARM Mali 400 MP2 graphics processor capable of rendering 4K video -- the Pi 3 is capable of 1080p video at 60 frames per second. The Pine 64 has two USB ports, while the Raspberry Pi 3 has four USB ports."

 Pine 64 can run Android and Remix OS, a version of Android for PCs. We'll keep an eye out for how this device may compete with the Raspberry Pi.