WORLDTECHBanana Pi unveils BPI-M8 single-board computer with PCIe and eMMC storage
Banana Pi has introduced the BPI-M8, a single-board computer that its maker positions as an alternative to the Raspberry Pi. The board combines an Allwinner A733 chip with onboard eMMC storage, PCIe support and a broad set of ports, according to a report by Notebookcheck.
Hardware and processor
The BPI-M8 is built around the Allwinner A733 system-on-chip, which combines two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores with 4 GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory.
The board measures 56 x 85 mm. Unlike a Compute Module, it ships with full-sized, ready-to-use ports rather than requiring a carrier board.
Storage and expansion options
Storage depends on the chosen variant. The standard version carries 64 GB of eMMC storage, and supported capacities range from 8 GB to 128 GB. A memory card slot is also present.
Additional storage can be attached over USB through three USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port. PCIe support is exposed through an FPC connector.
Connectivity and interfaces
The board offers a Gigabit Ethernet port and a wireless module supporting Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. Display and camera work is handled through MIPI DSI and MIPI CSI interfaces, alongside a full-sized HDMI 2.0b port and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Positioning against the Raspberry Pi
Banana Pi presents the BPI-M8 as a viable Raspberry Pi alternative. Notebookcheck notes, however, that it is an open question whether such a board makes practical sense, given the performance limits of single-board computers compared with modern desktop hardware.
Open questions
- Will the board be available in the configurations described in the report?
- How will the BPI-M8 perform in practice against the Raspberry Pi?