Hardkernel’s latest single-board computer is a 69 x 56mm (2.7″ x 2.2″) device with an Amlogic S922X hexa-core processor, up to 4GB of RAM, support for up eMMC and microSD card storage, and a $59 starting price.
Not only is the ODROID-N2L a little smaller than a Raspberry Pi Model B, but it’s also substantially smaller than its bigger sibling, the ODROID-N2+. Hardkernel did have to drop a few features to shave the size, but the company says it decided to make those compromises in response to customer demand for a smaller model.
The new ODROID-N2L lacks built-in support for Ethernet, WiFi, or Bluetooth. You’ll need a USB adapter to add any form of network connectivity. There are fewer USB ports and no dedicated audio jacks. And the processor runs at a slightly lower speed.
But Hardkernel says the smaller size makes it easier to mount the ODROID-2NL “inside a variety of small devices,” and that it’s suitable for robots, drones, arcade consoles or other systems that may not require built-in networking support.
The little computer also trades DDR4 memory for LPDDR4, which takes up less space. But Hardkernel says the up shot is that LPDDR4 memory is faster and uses less power.
Here’s an overview of some key features for the ODROID-N2L and ODROID-N2+.
| ODROID-N2L | ODROID-N2+ | |
| Dimensions | 69 x 56mm | 90 x 90mm |
| Processor | Amlogic S922X 12nm 4 x ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.2 GHz 2 x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 2 GHz Mali-G52 graphics @ 800 MHz | Amlogic S922X 12nm 4 x ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.4 GHz 2 x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 2 GHz Mali-G52 graphics @ 800 MHz |
| RAM | LPDDR4-3216 2 GB or 4GB 1.1 Volt | DDR4 2GB or 4GB 1.2 Volt |
| Storage | 1 x eMMC socket (up to 128GB) 1 x microSD card reader (UHS-I support) | |
| Networking | WiFi or Ethernet only available via USB adapter | 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Optional USB WiFi adapter |
| Video & audio | 1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz) | 1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz) 1 x 3.5mm composite video 1 x 3.5mm stereo line out 1 x optional S/PDIF |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A | 4 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A |
| Other I/O | 1 x Debug serial console (UART) 1 x MIPI DSI 4Lane (TBD) 1 x Peripheral Expansion Header (40-pin, 2.54mm pitch) | 1 x Debug serial console (UART) 1 x Peripheral Expansion Header (40-pin, 2.54mm pitch |
| Power | DC power jack (7.5V ~ 16V input recommended) DC 12V/2A power adapter recommended | DC power jack (7.5V ~ 18V input recommended) DC 12V/2A power adapter recommended |
| Starting price (As of Nov 8, 2022) | $59 | $66 |
Hardkernel says the ODROID-N2L can be used with a fan or heat sink, and the system supports Android and Linux. The company offers disk images for Android 9.0, Ubuntu 22.04, and EmuELEC.
via CNX Software and ODROID forum
I wish someone released a board with:
Size: RPI 4b would be OK, smaller would be even better.
Lots of USBs (4 would be ok) with decent power (unlike the current-limited Raspberry PI)
Decent CPU (RPI 4b class) with decent CPU (4gb is fine).
Audio jack, hdmi, ethernet could be sacrificed.
Low-enough power consumption for use with powerbanks.
That would be my dream device for astrophotography.
typo: decent CPI (4gb is fine) -> decent RAM (4gb is fine)
Some of your requirements are contradictory. For example, your board can send as much power as you need to the USB ports, but it’s all going to come out of the power bank it’s connected to. If you need enough power that the Raspberry Pi isn’t sending it, the problem is your power source having insufficient current or your power needs being more than you can handle, not the board in the middle. You could reduce the power consumption of the processor a bit and it would probably help a lot, but I’m getting the idea that your device is going to use enough power in the peripherals that this will be the primary determiner of power needs.
This doesn’t thrill me. A board with very limited I/O means that whatever you’re doing with it, you’ll be using a ton of adapters to get peripherals in. I also must admit I have a prejudice against boards that use proprietary charging systems instead of something more common, although if this thing is actually using 24W then maybe asking for USB isn’t reasonable either. Although if it is that power hungry, you can get a lot better processing for that.