Orange Pi
Single-board computer
Orange Pi is a brand of single-board computers (SBCs) developed and manufactured by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. in China. These computers are designed for educators and developers to tinker with electronics, learn programming, and build various projects.[1]
Orange Pi boards come in various configurations with different processors, memory capacities, and ports. They typically offer standard interfaces like HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins. The company also provides its own operating system, Orange Pi OS, based on Debian Linux.[1]
Orange Pi boards are similar to other popular SBCs like Raspberry Pi, but often offer different hardware specifications and features. They typically run open-source operating systems like Linux and Android, but can also be used with Raspberry Pi OS, the operating system for Raspberry Pi .[2][3][4]
History
Orange Pi is an open-source hardware brand founded by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd. in 2005.[1] The company aimed to create an alternative to the popular Raspberry Pi. Their first open-source product was launched in 2014.
Since its inception, Orange Pi has released over 30 different products.
Hardware and software
Orange Pi offers many boards, such as:
- Development Boards: These are the core products, featuring various processors, RAM capacities, and connectivity options. Popular models include Orange Pi 5 Plus, Orange Pi 3 LTS, and Orange Pi Zero 2W.[5]
- Zero Series: Low-power boards for learning and simple projects.[6]
- PC Series: More powerful boards suitable for heavier desktop applications and media playback.
- Other Series: Specialized boards for specific uses like AI development (RK3399 series) and IoT (Internet of Things) applications (2G-IoT, 3G-IoT series).
- Keyboard PCs: These integrate a keyboard with the development board. An example is the Orange Pi 800.
- Accessories: Accessories include cameras, touch screens, heat sinks, and expansion boards.
The first Orange Pi development board, the Orange Pi One, was released in 2014. Since then, the company has released numerous models with varying degrees of processing power, RAM, storage capacity, and connectivity options. Some popular models include:[7]
- Orange Pi Zero: A small and relatively cheap board designed for embedded projects with limited space and power constraints.
- Orange Pi 3: An affordable board with a quad core processor, designed for learning programming and basic projects.
- Orange Pi 5: A relatively more powerful board with an eight core processor, designed to be capable of running more demanding applications and handling heavier use cases like media streaming and light gaming.
- Orange Pi 800: A keyboard computer that integrates an SBC with a keyboard and mouse.
Orange Pi runs its own operating system, Orange Pi OS, which is based on Debian Linux. The OS includes various pre-installed applications for media playback, web browsing, and productivity tasks. The Orange Pi boards are also generally compatible with many other third-party operating systems.[8]
Applications
Orange Pi boards can be used in a wide range of fields due to their hardware specifications, open-source status, and pricing. Orange Pi boards are popular among hobbyists and educators for learning about electronics and programming. Due to their form factor and low power draw, Orange Pi boards can be useful for embedded system development as well, particularly in Internet of Things (IoT) projects.
More powerful models of the Orange Pi can be used for media playback/streaming, basic web browsing, and even light gaming. They have the ability to run various operating systems like Android, Linux distributions, and even Windows in some cases. Additionally, their GPIO pins and diverse connectivity options allow them to be integrated into various applications, including:
- Retro gaming: Some models are powerful enough to emulate older video game consoles.[9]
- Learning electronics and programming: Orange Pi boards are suitable for beginners due to their accessibility and compatibility with various operating systems and programming languages.
- Smart home applications: Building automation and control systems for homes.
- Digital signage: Displaying information and advertisements on screens.
- Robotics and automation: Controlling robots, drones, and other automated systems.
- Edge computing: Performing data processing and analysis closer to the source of data collection.
- Industrial automation: Monitoring and controlling industrial processes.
- AI and machine learning: Running basic AI and machine learning models for tasks like image recognition and object detection.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "Orange Pi - Orange Pi official website - Orange Pi development board, open source hardware, open source software, open source chip, computer keyboard". www.orangepi.org. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "How To Run Raspbian On An Orange Pi | Revised 2024". 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ Redillas, Maria (2023-10-10). "Raspberry Pi 5 vs Orange Pi 5 – What's the difference?". PC Guide. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b updated, Gareth Halfacree last (2020-01-22). "Orange Pi 4B Review: Raspberry Pi Competitor Has Built-in A.I." Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Orange Pi 5 Is A Great & Very Fast Alternative To The Raspberry Pi 4". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Les Pounder (2020-11-03). "Orange Pi Zero2: Small, Powerful, Cost Effective". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ androidpimp (2023-11-26). "Orange Pi 5 Pro unveiled, and this is what we know!". AndroidPIMP. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Orange Pi - Orangepi". www.orangepi.org. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Christopher Harper (2024-02-06). "Orange Pi enters handheld PC space with Orange Pi Neo, a Ryzen 7840U-powered handheld gaming device". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
