Are any SBCs ready to replace desktop computers?

I would love to replace my power-hungry desktop PC with an inexpensive SBC with no audible fan. However, so far the SBCs I've tried lately (BeagleBone, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard) don't have enough processing power to be a viable desktop PC.

So, are any of the higher-performance SBCs that have been released lately up to the task? I'm looking for a GNU/Linux computer that can do a decent job surfing the Internet (I don't care about video or audio performance) and a decent job compiling C programs. I would say it needs at least 1 GB RAM and SATA for a disk drive. 100 Mb/s Ethernet is adequate, but I'd prefer not going through a USB hub. Reasonable number of USB ports and HDMI output. Wi-Fi is not needed or desired.

Here are some of the SBCs I've been watching and might consider. Feel free to add others! Most of these are OSHW, which is of course preferred.

Banana Pi: Allwinner A20 Dual ARM Cortex-A7, 1 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

CubieTruck: Allwinner A20 Dual ARM Cortex-A7, 2 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC): Intel Atom or other, up to 8 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

MinnowBoard MAX: Intel Atom, 1 or 2 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

Olimex LIME2: Allwinner A20 Dual ARM Cortex-A7, 1 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

PCduino3Nano: Allwinner A20 Dual ARM Cortex-A7, 1 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

RIoTboard: Freescale i.MX6 ARM Cortex-A9, 1GB DDR3, no SATA, GBE.

Wandboard Quad: Freescale i.MX6 Quad ARM Cortex-A9, 2 GB DDR3, SATA, GBE.

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johnbeetem over 11 years ago

Woo-hoo! Someone voted for PCduino3Nano! I'd love to hear further comments. That seems like an amazingly powerful board for US$40. I wonder if someone offers a case with space for a 2.5" SATA hard disk?
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Problemchild over 11 years ago in reply to johnbeetem

We could do one but really prefer someone else to do the design
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johnbeetem over 11 years ago in reply to Problemchild

John Alexander wrote:

We could do one but really prefer someone else to do the design

Well, there's always the candy box method...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Jf9sTx3pElk
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Problemchild over 11 years ago in reply to johnbeetem

Nice Video John, The box was rater stylish too, rather fun and non computer looking so a good choice in my mind.
What did you use the 'bone for in that box?
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johnbeetem over 11 years ago in reply to Problemchild

John Alexander wrote:

Nice Video John, The box was rather stylish too, rather fun and non computer looking so a good choice in my mind.

What did you use the 'bone for in that box?

That's a BeagleBoard B4 with 128MB DRAM, bought in July 2008 before the mad rush. It was my first ARM development board, and I still use it as a test target for XXICC (http://www.element14.com/community/groups/fpga-group/blog/2014/11/15/xxicc-21st-century-co-design-release-00m). I had hoped that it would have been a suitable "main machine", but with only 128MB and no SATA that's really not possible. Browsers are such resource hogs, and I like to be able to check e-mail and web sites without having to switch machines. BeagleBoard does fine running my code since my programming ethos was formed in the punch card era when carrying around more than 4 KLOC was impractical
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Problemchild over 11 years ago in reply to johnbeetem

Indeed crazy to think with the 128GB micro sd card in my phone I now have 160GB on a phone ... just need a hover car now

BTW saw some one's phone case that a company had put a picture of her cat on ..cute stuff sells!
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Problemchild over 11 years ago in reply to johnbeetem

Indeed crazy to think with the 128GB micro sd card in my phone I now have 160GB on a phone ... just need a hover car now

BTW saw some one's phone case that a company had put a picture of her cat on ..cute stuff sells!
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