Inovato Quadra is an Arm Linux mini PC based on Allwinner H6 quad-core Cortex-A53 processor with 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, and running Armbian-built Debian 11 Bullseye 64-bit.
If the device looks like a repurposed Android TV box, it is because it is based on the T95 Mini model with one HDMI 2.0 port, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, a microSD card slot, a Fast Ethernet port and WiFi 4 wireless connectivity.
Inovato Quadra specifications:
- SoC – Allwinner H6 quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ up to 1.7 GHz with Arm Mali-720 MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 2GB RAM
- Storage – 16GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot
- Video & Audio Output
- HDMI 2.0 port up to 4Kp60
- 3.5mm AV port with video composite and analog audio
- Networking
- 10/100M Ethernet port
- Wireless
- Quadra – 2.4 GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi 4, no Bluetooth (can be added with a USB dongle)
- Quadra Plus – Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi 5; Bluetooth 4.2 USB dongle
- USB – USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0[prt
- Power Supply – 5V/2A power adapter included
- Dimensions – 92 x 92 x 22mm
The Allwinner H6 is not exactly a powerhouse, and the Quadra is promoted as an alternative to Raspberry Pi 4, when the SBC is overkill, and for applications that do not need the GPIO header or MIPI CSI/DSI interfaces. The mini PC has the advantage of coming with an enclosure, a heatsink placed on the processor, a power supply, and an HDMI cable, plus a MicroSD card is not needed since the OS is preinstalled in the internal eMMC flash.
The Armbian image provided by Inovato relies on Debian 11 plus the lightweight XFCE desktop manager with a MacOS-like interface & dock. If you don’t like to run some random OS on a mini PC, the instructions to build the Armbian server or desktop images are provided, or you can directly check out the patches.
The Inovato Quadra sells for $29, while the Quadra Plus with WiFi 5, a Bluetooth 4.2 USB adapter, and a 4-port USB hub goes for $39. You’ll find both on the Inovata shop. There’s no contact information per se on the website, but the person behind the product is Michael Burmeister-Brown, former chief scientist at Datto cybersecurity company based in the US.
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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