Radxa X2L is an inexpensive Intel Celeron J4125 Gemini Lake Refresh single board computer (SBC) that ships with 2GB to 8GB RAM, an M.2 socket for SSD storage, another M.2 socket for a wireless module, and offers a range of ports such as dual HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, four USB port, and a 40-pin GPIO header.
The price starts at $39, a price point that reminds me of the Atomic Pi SBC introduced a few years ago with an Atom X5 Cherry Trail processor, but the Radxa X2L is easier to use, offers better performance and modern features, as well as a low-profile form factor that’s about the size of a smartphone, just a bit thicker.
Radxa X2L specifications:
- SoC – Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor @ 2.0 / 2.7 GHz (Turbo) with Intel UHD Graphics 600 @ 250/750 MHz; 10W TDP
- MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller for GPIO control
- System Memory – 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 RAM (2,400 MT/s)
- Storage
- 1x M.2 M-Key (PCIe 2.0 x4) socket for 2280 NVMe SSD up to 2,000 MB/s
- Optional 32GB eMMC flash
- Video Output – 2x HDMI ports up to 4K @ 30 Hz
- Audio – 3.5mm headphone jack with microphone input; digital audio via HDMI
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) port
- Optional WiFi and Bluetooth module via M.2 E-Key socket
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
- Expansion
- 40-pin color-coded GPIO header with up to 2x SPI, 2x UART, 2x I2C, 16x PWM, 8x PIO (Programmable IO), 5V DC power in, 3.3V power pin
- M.2 M-Key socket for NVMe SSD
- M.2 E-Key socket for wireless module
- Misc
- RTC battery socket
- 4-pin header for PWM fan
- 3-pin debug header
- Power button, BOOTSEL button (for RP2040), clear CMOS button, and user button
- Power Supply – 12V/2A via USB-C port (USB PD support)
- Dimensions – 155 x 80 x 10 mm
- Temperature Range – 0 to 50°C
- Certifications – FCC, CE
Radxa says the X2L SBC supports Windows 10 Pro (so implicitly not Windows 11), as well as Debian and Ubuntu Linux distributions. As an x86 platform, it should support other operating systems too (minus custom implementations such as the GPIO header), but those are not listed on the Radxa website. Radxa told CNX Software they developed the Roobi firmware running on a small eMMC flash to directly install operating systems from the internet. We’ve seen that for Arm in the past on products from Khadas and Libre Computer, but I think it’s the first time I see it implemented on an x86 device.
Documentation is not available yet, but again, an x86 device should mostly work out of the box, and we’ve recently seen GPIOs are working fine with other Intel boards running Ubuntu 22.04 such as the Youyeetoo X1 and AAEON UP 7000, although each will implement this differently.
The Radxa X2L sells for $39 and up on Arace and AllNetChina. That price is for the model with 2GB RAM to which you’d need to add an M.2 SSD and a USB PD power supply, and most users will want to add the $6 heatsink and fan. If you’d rather get a model with the 32GB eMMC flash, only the 8GB model is available right now for $79. Further details may be found on the product page.
Radxa is also working on the pocket-size Palmshell Slim X2L mini PC based on the X2L SBC that should launch this year, and further in the future, we should expect an Alder Lake-N SBC once the Gemini Lake Refresh family reaches end-of-life and can’t be purchased anymore.
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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