Single-board computers are getting so cheap that you can pick up a CHIP or Raspberry Pi Zero for under $10. But you’ll have to pay a little more if you want a model that can run Windows. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay

For example, Newegg sells the Kangaroo Mobile Desktop for $99. Want something a little more hacker-friendly? The LattePanda is a new single-board PC with an Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor, Windows 10 software, and support for up to 4GB of RAM. It also has an Arduino-compatible co-processor and GPIO pins.

The team behind the project are launching a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of raising money to deliver the first Lattepanda units in a few months.

lattepanda_02

The first 100 people to request a LattePanda can snag one for a pledge of $69. After that the price for an entry-level model goes up to $79.

For that price you get a 3.5″ x 2.8″ computer board with an Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and Windows 10 32-bit software pre-loaded.

A pledge of $129 or more gets you a LattePanda Enhanced edition, which has the same processor and basic design. But the Enhanced version comes with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and Windows 10 64-bit.

Both models have HDMI ports, a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, microSD card slot, audio jack, and Ethernet port. There’s a micro USB port for power.

The LattePanda has an Atmega32u4 co-processor for Arduino features, serial ports, and a touch screen connector.

The team is also offering a Starter Kit pack that includes a a 7 inch display, HDMI cable, and micro USB cable when you make a pledge of $99 (for the basic model) or $149 (for the enhanced model).

If all you want is a fully functional Windows PC that doesn’t cost a lot of money, you might be better off with something like a Kangaroo. But if you’d rather have serial connectors, GPIO pins, and Arduino support than a case, the LattePanda looks like an interesting option.

Note that while this board is more hackable than most single-board, Windows-compatible computers, there are limitations: the RAM and eMMC storage are soldered to the motherboard. While you can add additional storage with a USB device or microSD card, there’s no way to upgrade the RAM.

The developers plan to begin shipping the first units to backers of the campaign in February.

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,546 other subscribers

8 replies on “LattePanda is an Arduino-friendly $79 Windows 10 mini PC (crowdfunding)”

  1. This is better than Adruino, in terms of features, performance and even price-wise!

  2. The Latte team… Heh!
    I’m in for the 64 bit, 4/64GB version when this launches. I’m debating on the 7 inch display for $20 more.

    I wonder how the PC and Arduino processors are connected? Is it a typical USB type connection?

    1. Most likely yes. I wonder why did they decide against using Arduino-compatible headers. All the shields could have been used immediately.

    1. Imagine if they knocked $25 off the price. For a measely (compared to Super Bowl ad prices) $250,000 Microsoft could offer 10,000 units of these for around $50. Or, knock off $50 and sell 5,000 of them for $25.

      Imagine that. For $25, you could decide between a big meal or a fully functional Windows 10 desktop computer.

      1. Only Microsoft is pretty happy with it’s desktop share. It needs Windows smartphones and tablets. The hackerspace is much too small to make a grab for and is already full with all the Arduinos, Raspberries and Propellers with decades old open-source communities around them. That would be hard to build around a closed source alternative that is pretty expensive when compared to a $5 Arduino or $50 RasPi (or $5 RasPi, if you will). Also most hackers will say this device is a bit over-the-top in raw power for most projects. This could be ideal for some hand-held game-emulator projects or home-theater fun, but already too power-hungry to put on a drone or something. They could just release it cheaper sans OS, and a set of Linux drivers (if needed) thou, and everyone can install whatever on it.

        1. but they aren’t offering a clean version…which of course is what many of us want, right?

Comments are closed.