cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/15454966
Banana Pi BPI-F3: Single-board computer and RISV-V alternative to the Raspberry Pi now available
Seeing functional risc-v devices popping up is so awesome! Not long ago, they were highly experimental. When I eventually find myself in need of a new device, I will probably get one with a risc-v processor.
And it also has a slot for an M.2 SSD.
Are the firmware and the architecture open-source though?
*RISV-C
**CIS-RV
***IS CR-V
****RAV4
Can somebody explain what this Raspberry Pi is that I see talked about all over Lemmy? Certainly, it is no pie, but I can’t seem to grasp what it actually is.
It is a very popular Single Board Computer, with a lot of community support that allows people to build and program a variety of things for a low price. Think of it like lego, but for things which can be useful as well as fun.
Want to run a weather station? Pi and a couple of off the shelf sensors, done.
Want to control your lights or appliances from your phone without getting out of bed? Pi and a couple of off the shelf relays, done.
Want to build a retro gaming console? Pi, a couple of off the shelf controllers and some pre-made emulators, done.
Super small, super cheap computer designed to run Linux. The board itself is about the size of a pack of cards, and cost about $80 although earlier models a few years ago before prices of everything skyrocketed was about $35. It’s a fully fledged computer and with a microssd card loaded with a Linux distribution, a keyboard, monitor and mouse (last two optional) you can have either a command line only or fully fledged gui OS up and running in minutes.
Not super powerful but it’s low energy requirements and form factor make it great for tinkerers and specific tasks/functions. Home automation, video game emulation, pi hole (network wide dns ad blocking), and home based VPN services are a few that pop into mind.
Tiny computer about the size of an Altoids tin targeted at hobbyists and students.
It is a SBC or single board computer. Basically a whole computer on a small PCB. Here is a link with more info: www.raspberrypi.com
Can someone smarter than me explain what RISV-V means? How is this different than the Raspberry Pi?
RISC-5 is a CPU architecture like x86 (AMD and Intel) or ARM (Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, Google).
It’s main differences are that it is an open source architecture. It is still early and it’s life cycle but it’s already showing promising advancement.
I’m not as well educated on this part of it but I remember reading that it is more efficient for a certain types of common calculations that have long since been an issue for x86. As noted though citation needed.
So it’s really, really worth understanding that only OS and applications created to use RISC-V arch is going to work on this.
Thank you :) Also good to know it’s RISC-V (five roman number).
How is it pronounced? Like every letter or more like risk-5?
How can I even buy one in Europe?
