Rock Pi X by Radxa
The most bang for your buck with embedded computing! This is probably the most impressive single board computers (SBC's) that we've experienced for the price. This is similar to the Up Board and LattePanda, but more affordable.
Because this board runs Microsoft Windows, it can also run ARC directly. There is an audio jack for speakers and an HDMI for video.
ROCK Pi X is the first X86 SBC(Single Board Computer) by Radxa. It can run Windows and ARC. ROCK Pi X features...
- Intel Cherry Trail quad core processor Z8350
- 64bit dual channel 1866Mb/s LPDDR3
- up to 4K@30 HDMI Video
- 3.5mm audio jack with mic
- 802.11 ac Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 4.2
- USB Port
- GbE LAN
- 40-pin color expansion header
- Realtime clock
- USB PD and QC powering
ROCK Pi X comes in Model A and Model B; each model has 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB ram options. For the detailed differences between Model A and Model B, please check the Specifications.
This comparison chart, done by our friends at Explaining Computers says it all...
Drivers
Synthiam has assembled a driver package to get your Rock Pi/x Rock'n! The driver package includes an installation readme file, which we recommend reading.
Download Rock Pi/X Windows 10 Drivers (x64)There is a document with step-by-step instructions for installing the drivers. Be sure to read the file and follow the instructions.
Installation Tips & Performance for SBCs
We have a guide in the Support section that includes steps on freeing storage space, increasing the performance, powering the SBC, and running headless with remote desktop software of robot computers, such as single-board computers.
View Performance Tips To Make a Robot.
NUC? Is this secret code for something between you guys? I hate acronyms.
We use the NUC at my job. Its a neat lil computer.
,
Is NUC just an acronyms for mini computer?
What Is Intel NUC? Intel NUC is a small form factor PC with a tiny footprint. Short for Next Unit of Computing, Intel NUC (say it like luck or truck) puts full-sized PC power in the palm of your hand.
See more: https://www.intel.ca/content/www/ca/en/products/boards-kits/nuc.html#:~:text=What%20Is%20Intel%C2%AE%20NUC,the%20way%20you%20need%20it.
Thanks. Know I know
My Rock Pi X turned up last week, it is pretty cute and not bad performance but I can't get the WLAN drivers running. I am in windows update hell now so can't give a review as I haven't loaded ARC on it yet. Anyone else have trouble with the Broadcom drivers. I did a fresh windows install versus the WIM file (I hope I don't have to go back and do it all again). Playing with some 3rd party utils for driver updates but the bcmfn2 driver and the Broadcom 802.11ac both fail to start.
One thing I don't like was the decision to use USB-C for power. Seriously who has a USB-C to XT-90 connector laying around. Wish me luck.
The drivers are on their wiki: https://wiki.radxa.com/RockpiX/downloads
Power the rock pi two ways on the robot:
usb-c to type A cable connected to a 5v power bank. Here is one that is 10 amps and has usb-c so you don't need a type a adapter cable: https://www.amazon.ca/MOSFiATA-High-Speed-Charging-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B08GL95BY2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=usb+power+bank&qid=1615949259&s=electronics&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyU05HNE81TEpPNkw3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDY5NDY0M0kzTTlJWUoxOUI5USZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTI3NDQ4MlFYTTdOVkJFWE1CSyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
5v directly to the pin header. I use (and swear by) this voltage regulator: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07Q5W1BG3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
PS, don't forget to check the tips in the above links in the rock pi description for running headless and performance tips.