Waveshare has announced four new USB-C and USB-A development boards based on the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU: the Waveshare RP2350-Plus dev board, the Waveshare RP2350-Zero Mini dev board, the Waveshare RP2350-ETH Mini dev board, and the Waveshare RP2350-GEEK USB dev board. The RP2350-Plus is a low-cost, high-performance Pico-like development board with the RP2350 MCU, various I/O, battery support, USB Type-C, and compatibility with Raspberry Pi Pico modules. The RP2350-Zero Mini is another compact dev board with castellated pins, 29 GPIOs, USB Type-C, PIO, and versatile peripheral support, ideal for IoT, robotics, and embedded systems. The RP2350-ETH Mini dev board has Ethernet support and various GPIO functionalities, making it ideal for IoT development. Like any other RP2350 board, the Waveshare RP2350 boards support C/C++ and MicroPython SDKs with drag-and-drop firmware flashing via USB mass storage. Waveshare RP2350-Plus development board The Waveshare RP2350-Plus is a low-cost development board that comes in a […]
GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite Review – Part 3: Ubuntu 24.04 on a low-cost mini PC
We have already checked the hardware of the GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite mini PC in the first part of the review, before testing the low-cost Intel Processor N100 mini PC with its 8GB RAM and 256GB SATA SSD running Windows 11 Pro in detail in the second part. We’ve now had time to test the GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite with Ubuntu 24.04 in the third and final part of the review. We’ll test the features in Linux, run some benchmarks, evaluate storage and network performance, play some 4K and 8K videos in YouTube playback, perform a stress test to check its thermal design, and finally measure the mini PC’s fan noise and power consumption. We’ll also compare the results in Linux to the earlier GEEKOM Mini Air12 mini PC with the same CPU, but better specs and a higher price. A challenging Windows 11 / Ubuntu 24.04.1 dual boot installation […]
ASUSTOR Flashstor Gen2 NAS features AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14, 10GbE networking, up to 12x NVMe SSD sockets
ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 and Flashtor 6 Pro Gen2 are NAS systems based on AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 quad-core processor with up to two 10GbE RJ45 ports and taking up to 6 or 12 M.2 NVMe SSDs respectively. The Flashstor Gen2 models are updated to the ASUSTOR Flashtor NAS launched last year with similar specifications including 10GbE and up to 12 M.2 SSDs, but based on a relatively low-end Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core Jasper Lake processor. The new Gen2 NAS family features a more powerful AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 SoC, support for up to 64GB RAM with ECC, and USB4 ports. The downside is that it lacks video output, so it can’t be used for 4K/8K video consumption like its predecessor. Flashstor Gen2 NAS specifications: SoC – AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 quad-core/8-thread processor @ 2.3/3.8GHz; TDP: 15W System Memory Flashstor 6 Gen2 (FS6806X) – 8 GB DDR5-4800 Flashstor 12 Pro […]
AAEON FWS-2370 network appliance features Intel Atom Parker Ridge/Snow Ridge processor, up to 14 Ethernet ports
The FWS-2370 is a network appliance powered by the Intel Atom C Series “Parker Ridge” or P Series “Snow Ridge” processor family (Atom C5315 by default), tailored for SD-WAN and uCPE applications. It incorporates Intel QAT and Intel VT-d/VT-x to accelerate encryption, decryption, and virtualization tasks. The system supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory (ECC/Non-ECC) through dual SODIMM slots and offers onboard eMMC storage options up to 128 GB. Networking capabilities include four 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports (Intel I226-V), four gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports (Marvell 88E1543), and four 10GbE SFP+ ports, with optional PoE af/at support for enhanced deployment flexibility. For connectivity, the FWS-2370 features two M.2 B-Key slots for 5G/LTE modules, one M.2 E-Key slot for Wi-Fi, and two Mini Card slots with SIM support. This expansive configuration ensures seamless wired and wireless networking. Designed to manage high data throughput and multi-threaded workloads, the FWS-2370 is ideal for applications […]
Jetway MF30 – A 3.5-inch SBC with 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U/1335UE Raptor Lake SoC, quad display support
The Jetway MF30 is a 3.5-inch subcompact board powered by 13th-generation Intel Core Raptor Lake-P U-series processors, including the Intel Core i5-1335U and Core i5-1335UE. Designed for embedded applications such as digital signage, control systems, gaming setups, and transportation hubs, the board supports versatile high-definition multi-screen configurations with two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, one Type-C DP, and one LVDS/eDP interface. For connectivity, the MF30 offers dual 2.5GbE ports, three USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and a USB Type-C port, while storage options include SATA III port and M.2 (2242/2280) sockets. Jetway is well known for its SBCs, and we’ve previously covered products like the JMTX-ADN8, JNUC-ADN1 mini-ITX motherboard, and JF35-ADN1 3.5-inch motherboard all powered by the Intel N97 CPU. Additionally, we’ve explored other SBCs and Mini PCs featuring 13th-gen Raptor Lake SoCs, including the iBASE IB961, GEEKOM GT13 Pro, Cincoze DV-1100, and LattePanda Sigma. If you’re interested […]
GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite review – A low-cost Intel Processor N100 mini PC tested with Windows 11 Pro
We’ve already checked the hardware of the GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite mini PC with an unboxing and teardown in the first part of the review. It is a low-cost mini PC based on an Intel Processor N100 CPU, coupled with 8GB DDR4-3200 memory, a 256GB M.2 SATA SSD, dual Display output through HDMI and DisplayPort connector, GbE, WiFi 6E, and a 9-pin expansion header port – as found in some NUC model – to access an external power button, reset button, and LEDs when housed in a cabinet or kiosk. You’ll find the full Mini Air 12 Lite specifications in our previous article about it. We’ve now had more time to test the mini PC, so we’ll report our experience with the Mini Air12 Lite running Windows 11 Pro operating system in the second part of the review. We’ll go through a software overview, test most of the features, run […]
Protectli VP32XX – Alder Lake-N network appliances with dual 2.5GbE, NVMe and SATA storage options
The Protectli VP32XX is a family of Alder Lake-N network appliances for high-performance applications. This compact device comes in two variants: the VP3210, powered by a quad-core Intel N100 processor, and the VP3230, built around an eight-core Intel Core i3-N305 processor. Both support up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM and the company mentions that they have tested it with up to 48 GB. They also include 32GB of eMMC storage with dual 2.5GbE. Storage options include dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots and an expansion bay that supports up to four 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, making them ideal for NAS applications. Additionally, they have various I/O options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, multiple USB ports, and a PCIe slot, making them compatible with multimedia workstations or networking hubs. Protectli VP3200 specifications: Processor VP3210 – Intel Processor N100 quad-core Alder Lake-N processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz; […]
AMPCOM 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with 10GbE SPF+ cage sells for less than $60
AMPCOM has launched an inexpensive, fanless 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with one 10GbE SFP+ cage that sells for less than $60 on Aliexpress with free shipping and before taxes (if you live in Europe). Upgrading your local networking to 10GbE (10 Gbps Ethernet) can still be relatively expensive, and when I look at 10GbE switches on Amazon, most are sold for $200 to $400, and the cheapest models cost around $120. But if you don’t need multiple 10GbE ports on your switch, I’ve been informed about an inexpensive 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with a single 10GbE SFP+ cage. And as we’ve just seen it’s possible to purchase a dual 10GbE mini PC/router for $299 (barebone), so it’s becoming more affordable than ever to switch to 10GbE networking even though not everybody may benefit from the higher speeds. AMPCOM ZX-SWTGW218AS managed switch specifications: Ports 8x 100M/1000M/2500M RJ45 ports 10GbE SFP+ port […]