Although micro-computers like the Raspberry Pi have offered ultra-compact computing on a budget for years now, getting one that runs Windows is often a little bit more difficult, and requires looser purse strings. As with every aspect of the computing industry, though, someone is stepping up to fill that gap.
The LattePanda is a 3.5-inch by 2.8-inch micro-computer, packed with an Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor, up to 4GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage space and, most importantly, the ability to run Windows 10. There’s even a little Arduino-compatible co-processor on board for added function (as per Liliputing). All of that will set you back just $80.
The catch here is that the LattePanda isn’t quite ready yet. In fact, the earliest you’ll be able to get your hands on one is Feburay next year, when the proposed Kickstarter campaign has them pegged for delivery. The campaign hasn’t even launched yet, and even when it does it may not receive enough funding for completion.
But should it succeed, the LattePanda will be the first single-board computer to come pre-installed with Windows 10.
The little system is incredibly versatile. It’s compatible with sensors, screens, cameras, 3D imagers, controllers, gamepads — the list goes on and on. You will be able to hook those up to it using one of the USB 2.0 ports or the USB 3.0 port. There’s also an HDMI connector, Micro-SD card slot, 3.5mm audio jack, an Ethernet Port, and the expected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.
Some of the suggested uses that the developers believe LattePanda would be great for include a facial recognition camera hub, a powerful brain for a micro-robot, a very small media controller, or even an entry-level PC for everyday tasks.
The developers go so far as to compare the system head to head with Raspberry Pi 2 specifications, and it’s clear that the LattePanda has many hardware advantages. There will however be two versions, with the more powerful of the two (the Enhanced Edition) coming with the larger storage size and the 4GB of RAM, for a slightly expanded $130 price tag.
The only questions now is whether Kickstarter will give the project the go ahead, and whether you guys will give it enough support it. Would you be interested in a powerful micro-PC like this?
