With 16 TOPS, NVMe support, and SATA, the new OrangePi O1 makes the Raspberry Pi look dated

The OrangePi O1 is a new single-board computer (SBC) that could hold a distinct edge over the Raspberry Pi in AI-centric workloads while serving as a capable alternative for general computing. Powering the board is a Sophgo BM1688 SoC, which pairs eight ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores with a RISC-V C906 co-processor. An integrated TPU handles local AI acceleration, delivering up to 16 TOPS (INT8) for compatible workloads.

Memory configurations include 8 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR4/LPDDR4X RAM, complemented by an optional eMMC module with up to 128 GB of capacity. However, storage expandability goes far beyond onboard flash: the board features an M.2 slot for PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs, a dedicated SATA interface, and a standard microSD card slot.

Measuring 90 x 70 mm, the standalone board packs a complete set of I/O ports, allowing it to function as a desktop PC straight out of the box without requiring a carrier board. Physical connectivity includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port for video output up to 4K. True to its SBC roots, it also integrates specialized interfaces like MIPI connectors, CAN bus, RS485, and an expansion header for sensors and actuators. Power is supplied via USB Type-C at 20 V, and wireless networking is supported. Availability for the Orange Pi O1 currently remains limited.

Editor of the original article: Silvio Werner - Senior Tech Writer - 18145 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017

I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.