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Looking For A Cheap Linux Board? Try The BeagleBone Black

Linux can run on just about anything. That’s why projects like the $25 Raspberry Pi are so exciting. Just about anybody can now own a Linux PC and start writing code. Of course, some may want so...
Looking For A Cheap Linux Board? Try The BeagleBone Black
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  • Linux can run on just about anything. That’s why projects like the $25 Raspberry Pi are so exciting. Just about anybody can now own a Linux PC and start writing code. Of course, some may want something a bit more sophisticated, and BeagleBoard may have just want you need.

    The BeagleBone Black is the latest Linux board from BeagleBoard. The board can run Linux or Android, and features a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor. It’s a bit faster than the 720 MHz CPU on board the original BeagleBone. The BeagleBone Black was also upgraded to 512MB of RAM and 2GB of onboard flash memory.

    The BeagleBone Black is a substantial improvement over the $89 BeagleBone so one would expect a higher price, right? Fortunately, cost cutting measures have allowed BeagleBoard to sell the BeagleBone Black for only $45. It’s even cheaper if you just buy the board as the $45 cost also includes a power supply.

    Here’s the full spec list:

  • Processor — TI Sitara AM3359 (Cortex-A8 @1GHz)
  • Memory — 512MB DDR3 RAM (606MHz); 2GB onboard eMMC flash; microSD slot
  • Networking — 10/100 Ethernet
  • Other I/O:

  • Micro-HDMI
  • USB 2.0 host
  • Mini-USB 2.0 client
  • 20-pin CTI JTAG interface (optional)
  • Expansion connector I/O:

  • 3x serial
  • McASP0, SPI1, I2C
  • 65x GPIO
  • CAN
  • LCD
  • GPMC, MMC1, MMC2
  • EHRPWM
  • 7x AIN (1.8V max.)
  • 4x timers; XDMA interrupt
  • Other features — reset, boot, power buttons
  • Power:

  • Mini-USB, DC jack, or 5VDC external (via header) source
  • PMIC regulator
  • Approximately 2.3 Watts max power consumption
  • Dimensions — 3.4 x 2.1 inches
  • Weight — 39.7 g (1.4 oz)
  • If you prefer video tours, here’s a quick rundown of the BeagleBone Black:

    For more info, including where to buy it, check out the BeagleBone Black product page. You’ll even find links to Android and Ubuntu builds that are certifiably stable on BeagleBoard hardware.

    [LinuxGizmos via Slashdot]

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