SolidRun is now taking orders for its tiny, ARM-powered HummingBoard computer. The system looks a bit like a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, but it has a faster processor and comes in 3 different configurations.

The HummingBoard sells for between $45 and $100 and it’s available for pre-order from the SolidRun website.

hummingboard

The entry-level HummingBoard-i1 features a Freescale i.MX6 Solo ARM Cortex-A9 processor, Vivante GC880 graphics, 512MB of RAM, 10/100 Ethernet, 2 USB 2.0 ports, a microSD card slot, HDMI and SPDIF ports, and GPIO headers.

For $75 you can opt for a HummingBoard-i2 with a dual-core i.MX6 Dual processor, and 1GB of RAM.

SolidRun also offers a HummingBoard-i2eX model for $100 which adds Gigabit Ethernet, GC2000 graphics, 2 more internal USB 2.0 ports, a mic input, an mSATA II connector, PCI Express connector, and IR port.

All three models are designed to run a variety of operating systems including Android, Ubuntu, and Debian and can be used for Internet of Things applications, home media server duties, or even home media center functionality with the XBMC application.

While SolidRun and the HummingBoard aren’t exactly as well known as the Raspberry Pi, the team made the HummingBoard the same size as the what might be the world’s most popular single-board computer for hobbyists and educators. That means it can fit into any third-party case designed for the Raspberry Pi.

And unlike the Raspberry Pi, the HummingBoard isn’t quite a single-board computer: the processor and memory live on a small board that attaches to the credit card-sized input and output board, which could theoretically allow you to upgrade to a more powerful processor in the future.

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14 replies on “SolidRun’s HummingBoard credit card-sized computer launches for $45 and up”

  1. TWO cores at about 1GHZ. This will perform, maybe 2x the Pi. There are plenty of boards with 4 cores at 1.6 or better GHz, with 2GB or more DRAM. They are blazing fast. Radxa Rock is one, and it lacks eSATA, unfortunately. Come back when you perform like a leader. i.MX is a nice chip- but – FREESCALE- wake up!!!

  2. I like the two mini pci-e slots a lot. I wonder about thermal specs and io perfs too (the rpi had issues there at first)

    1. io perfs? Are you talking about the Raspberry Pi’s broken USB controller? Those issues still exist and will never go away entirely since workarounds can’t compensate for every situation where the hardware has problems. Fortunately the i.MX 6 SoCs that the HummingBoards are based around have standard EHCI USB controllers with no issues that I’m aware of.

      1. Yes. I used past tense because I didn’t check if the issues were still there, don’t wanna convey false information. Very sad to hear it’s still fubar.

        1. I predicted the Raspberry Pi’s USB issues would never be totally fixed not long after they became apparent. They really didn’t like that at the official forums.

  3. Unfortunately even the highest spec model has just a dual core and 1GB RAM.

    They initially promised a quad core with 2GB.. was probably too expensive.

    1. Exactly. The Odroid-U3 from Hardkernel gives you a quad core 1.7GHz and 2GB RAM for $65.
      I love mine. Runs Linux like a regular x86 desktop PC, runs Android, both play 1080p in XBMC just fine.

      1. that’s about a year old now right. It was quite expensive when it came out, nickle and diming for accessories and power adapter.

        Nice specs but lacking gigabit and wifi.

    2. They do sell them! I’ve just ordered a Quad-Core with 2GB RAM and a HummingBoard PRO Carrier board, only thing is you have to go through the “B2B Build Your Thing” section and add the quad-core MicroSOM i4PRO directly to your cart, selecting the carrier board (HummingBoard Carrier / Carrier PRO) as you add it.

      I believe I read somewhere that the reason they don’t sell them as a pre-built module is because of heat problems? I guess making you buy the parts separately makes it your responsibility to assemble them into an appropriately-cooled system.

      Note that this is marketed as a B2B (Business to Business) offering, but I ordered as an individual without any issue.

      Anyway, the link to the quad core MicroSOM is –
      https://www.solid-run.com/product/sr-usom-mx6-c1000qm-d2048-ge/

      Hope this helps 😀

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