So you might have heard here and there about a computer called the Raspberry Pi. In case you haven't, here's a picture of it so you know what I'm talking about:

It's actually not that big; it's essentially a credit card-sized computer. Neither is it expensive: it costs just $35, so if you accidentally fry it when you're tinkering, it won't leave a hole in your wallet. Let's take a look at what the latest model of the Raspberry Pi has to offer first:

CPU: Cortex-A53 quad-core @ 1.2GHz
GPU: Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 400MHz
RAM: 1GB LPDDR2
Networking: 10/100 Ethernet
Storage: microSD
Ports:

• 1x Ethernet
• 4x USB 2.0
• 1x Micro-USB
• 1x HDMI 1.3
• 1x 3.5mm audio/video jack

However, the more serious tinkerers may find the Raspberry Pi lacking when it comes to projects that are more demanding power-wise. Luckily, the Raspberry Pi isn't the only single-board computer on the market. Below are some of the SBCs I've handpicked, based on superior specifications and... aesthetics.

ASUS Tinker Board ($60)

• CPU: Cortex-A17 quad-core @ 1.8GHz
• GPU: Mali-T760 MP4 @ 600MHz
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR3
• Networking: 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Storage: microSD
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 4x USB 2.0
  • 1x Micro-USB
  • 1x HDMI 1.4
  • 1x 3.5mm audio/video jack

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Le Potato ($25-35)

• CPU: Amlogic S905X quad-core @ 1.5-1.8GHz
• GPU: Mali-450 MP3 @ 750MHz
• RAM: 1GB, 2GB DDR3
• Networking: 10/100 Ethernet
• Storage: microSD, eMMC
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 4x USB 2.0
  • 1x Micro-USB
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x 3.5mm audio/video jack

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ODROID-C2 ($47)

• CPU: Amlogic S905, Cortex-A53 quad-core @ 1.5GHz
• GPU: Mali-450 MP3 @ 750MHz
• RAM: 2GB DDR3
• Networking: 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Storage: microSD, eMMC
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 4x USB 2.0
  • 1x Micro-USB
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x 2.5mm DC power jack
  • 1x Serial console

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ODROID-XU4 ($62)

• CPU: Exynos 5422 Octa big.LITTLE ARM Cortex-A15 quad-core @ 2GHz, Cortex-A7 quad-core @ 1.5GHz
• GPU: Mali-T628 MP6 @ 600MHz
• RAM: 2GB LPDDR3
• Networking: 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Storage: microSD, eMMC
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 1x 5.5mm DC power jack
  • 1x HDMI 1.4a
  • 1x RTC backup connector
  • 1x Serial console

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ROCK64 ($25-45)

• CPU: Rockchip RK3328 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 @ 1.5GHz
• GPU: Mali-450 MP2 @ [?]GHz
• RAM: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB LPDDR3
• Networking: 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Storage: eMMC
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • 1x 3.5mm DC power jack
  • 1x HDMI 2.0
  • 1x 3.5mm audio/video jack

---

UP Board ($99-149)

• CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core @ 1.92GHz
• GPU: Intel HD 400 Graphics
• RAM: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB DDR3L-1600
• Networking: 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Storage: microSD, eMMC
• Ports:
  • 1x Ethernet
  • 4x USB 2.0
  • 1x 5.5mm DC power jack
  • 1x HDMI 1.4b
  • 1x USB 3.0 OTG

This post will continue to be updated as I find more awesome single-board computers. If you find any mistakes or inaccurate information, please let me know. Thanks!