Rockchip RK3288 processor may have launched in 2014, but it’s still one of the most powerful processor found in TV boxes for example, and in the past we’ve seen higher end board based on the processor such as Firefly-RK3288 or Radxa Rock 2 Square selling for well above $100. But MQMaker, the company that previously made WiTi router board, is bringing a smaller and cheaper RK3288 development board with MiQi, which definitely looks similar to the Raspberry Pi.
MiQi board specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip 3288 quad core ARM Cortex A17 up to 1.8 GHz with Mali-T764 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 /3.0, and OpenCL 1.1
- System Memory – 1 or 2G DDR3 depending on model
- Storage – 8 or 32 GB eMMC flash depending on model + micro SD slot
- Video & Audio output – HDMI 2.0 up to 3840×2160@60p
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB port
- Debugging – Serial console header
- Expansion Headers – 16-pin header, and 12-pin header but details are not known.
- Misc – Button, unpopulated fan header
- Power Supply – 5V via micro USB port
- Dimensions – 85 x 56 cm (PCB)
The board currently dual boots Android 5.1 and Lubuntu 14.04 from the eMMC flash, and while my sample came without heatsink, the final version will include a heatsink to ensure performance is stable even with higher loads. The firmware can already be downloaded, and the Linux 3.10 source code for the board is on github.
I’ve got sample #2, cool! But less cool is that I’ve not been able to boot it with a 5V/2A power supply connected to the board. I’m investigating. Using another power supply, and the board automatically booted Lubuntu just fine.
There will be two version of the board: one with 1GB RAM & 8GB storage for $35, and the other with 2GB RAM & 32GB flash for $69 to be launched on Indiegogo later on. You can find some more information in the forum announcement and comments.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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