We’ve seen several x86 SBCs made for the makers’ community including AAEON Up Board family, AMD powered UDOO BOLT boards, and Seeed Studio Odyssey-X864105 SBC and mini PC.
Hackboard 2 is another one of those single board computers. Powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron N4020 Gemini Lake Refresh processor coupled with 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC flash, the board offers the usual HDMI, Ethernet, USB ports, plus a 40-pin Raspberry Pi header, and an optional 4G or 5G modem.
Hackboard 2 specifications:
- SoC – Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor @ 1.1 GHz / 2.8 GHz (Turbo) with 4MB cache, Intel UHD graphics 600; 6W TDP
- System Memory – 4GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage – 64 GB onboard eMMC flash, 2x NVMe M.2 slots for up to 4 TB additional storage
- Video output
- HDMI 2.0a output up to 4K
- 30-pin eDP connector for 11.6″ to 15.6″ displays
- 6-pin touchscreen interface
- Audio – 3.5 mm CTIA audio jack (stereo + mic); 5-pin stereo speaker connector
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 5 up to 1.73 Gbps and Bluetooth 5.1 via Intel AC9560 CNVio card
- Optional 4G or 5G cellular modem
- USB – 3x USB 3.0 ports, 5-pin USB 2.0 header (for camera connection)
- Expansion
- 40-pin GPIO header (RPi-HAT-compatible with pass-through adapter)
- NVMe M.2 B key slot
- NVMe M.2 B & M key slot
- Misc – Power button, LEDs, Heatsink, small cell battery for up to two years BIOS backup, fan connector
- Power Supply
- 12V/3A international power supply
- 10-pin 3.7 V rechargeable battery input connector
- Dimensions – 120 x 80 mm (4x corner mounting holes centered 5 mm from edges)
The board comes pre-loaded with Linux (Ubuntu 20.04) or Windows 10 Pro, and ships with a 36W international power supply, a heatsink, two board-mountable antennas, an instruction pamphlet, and stickers.
Somehow, there aren’t any photos of the bottom of the board (must be confidential!), and instead, we can check it out in the layout below and it will partially be shown in the video at the end of the article.
If you’d rather not use a bare board, the company is also offering a starter kit with a protective ABS plastic case, a full HD USB 2.0 video camera, and a wireless keyboard with an integrated trackpad, as a complete kit that adds a portable 13.3″ IPS 1080p display with integrated speakers, USB C and HDMI inputs, a mini USB B power supply (5V/3A), and protective cover that doubles as a stand.
The SBC has just been launched on Crowd Supply with a symbolic $1 funding target. The Linux version of the board is a Crowd Supply exclusive and requires a $99 pledge. The Windows 10 Pro version goes for $140, the starter kit for $180, and the complete kit for $299. Let’s not forget the cellular modem which you can add for $50 (4G) or $299 (5G). Shipping is $8 to the US for all perks, and $20 to $35 to the rest of the world. Deliveries are scheduled to start at the end of April 2021.
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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It has everything I was looking for to replace my backup server. Even the dual-M2 for increased capacity and/or redundancy could allow me to also replace my file server. But till end of April I’ll likely find other such opportunities so I think I won’t register.
This is almost identical with LattePanda Delta, except GPIO headers and the price.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2017/12/08/lattepanda-alpha-delta-kaby-lake-gemini-lake-development-boards-support-windows-10-pro-or-linux-crowdfunding/
Indeed. They actually compare Hackboard 2 to LattePanda Delta on Crowd Supply, but I did not realize both boards were so similar.
Here you go, same Celeron N4020, same 4GB SDRAM, 2 X eMMC @ 128GB:
Sale $199.99 @ Best Buy: ASUS – 14.0″ Laptop – Intel Celeron N4020 – 4GB Memory – 128GB eMMC – Model:E410MA-202.BLUE – SKU:6425056
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-14-0-laptop-intel-celeron-n4020-4gb-memory-128gb-emmc-blue-blue/6425056.p?skuId=6425056
But… The problem here is that the Intel Celeron N4020 is just 2 cores and 2 threads. IMO for a little more money a better choice is the Intel Celeron J4105 with 4 cores and 4 threads. Back in August 2020 on Amazon I priced a traditional machine build based on a fanless ASRock J4105 mobo, 8GB SDRAM, 120GB SSD, Mini/Micro-ATX case, and a 400W P.S. The whole thing totaled up at $218.91 USD with “Free” Prime 2-Day ConUS Shipping. The ASRock J4105 mobo alone was $75.99. Add $25-$35 for a 4-port PCIe / USB 3.0 or SATA card and you have a nice little NAS machine ready to gobble up some drives.
It’s not so easy to take out the motherboard from the laptop though…
And the alternative using the mobo + ATX PSU + PCIe add-on card isn’t as small as this one either!
The Hackboard 2 has now been officially launched: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hackboard-tackles-the-widening-digital-divide-and-iot-with-powerful-and-affordable-windows-and-intel-based-single-board-computer-sbc-with-4g-or-5g-connectivity-301823638.html
The press release says it can be ordered from RS Components, OKdo, Micro Center, Mouser, CrowdSupply, and Vilros