Skip to main content

ODROID-C2 is a faster Raspberry Pi 3 alternative with more memory

c2 offers competitive specs to raspberry pi odroidc2
Just a few hours have passed since the debut of the new Raspberry Pi 3 and already it has a competitor. Known as the ODROID-C2, the micro computer will set you back just $40, and comes with not only twice as much memory as the new Pi, but with a faster processor, too.

Technically the C2 was announced earlier this month, meaning that it beat the Pi 3 to the punch, but they have both been made available on the same day, so really this is the first time it’s been a viable option. Like the new Pi, it is also a third-generation device, with previous releases, the ODROID-XU4 and ODROID-C1+, offering different and more legacy-oriented hardware options.

Here’s how the new C2’s hardware stacks up against that of the Pi 3:

Raspberry Pi 3 HardKernel ODROID-C2
Processor ARM Cortex-A53 1.2GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 2GHz quad-core
Memory 1GB LPDDR2 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
Networking 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2
10/100 Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet

Related: The next Raspberry Pi knows Wi-Fi

Although the hardware specifications are certainly stronger on the ODROID-C2’s end of things, with its higher-clocked processor and a larger and faster memory, it does not support native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connection standards by default. It also costs $10 more, as the Pi 3 comes in at just $30.

Other specifications for the C2 are more in line with the Pi 3, with a similar number of USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI connector for video/audio.

Since the original release of the first Raspberry Pi, we’ve seen an explosion in micro, single-board computers, and this has really helped kick-start a new indie development movement over the past few years. However, while the C2 and others have offered competition, the Pi is still the most recognizable offering, and as Liliputing points out, the lack of a strong community pushing development forward may mean that the C2 does not become as popular as it might otherwise.

You can pre-order an ODROID-C2 from the official store here.

What do you think of the hardware the C2 offers? Do you prefer it to the Pi 3 and its built in wireless connectivity?

Editors' Recommendations

HP Dragonfly Pro vs. Apple MacBook Pro 14: a solid alternative?
The HP Dragonfly Pro Support app.

Apple's MacBook Pro 14 has taken over as the best 14-inch laptop you can buy today, thanks to great performance and battery life, a spectacular display, and an elegant, functional design. It's one of the best laptops you can buy, and it's just been upgraded with the newer Apple M2 Pro and Max CPUs for even better performance and efficiency.

HP introduced the Dragonfly Pro at CES 2023 to take on the MacBook Pro, and it has a pretty steep hill to climb. We haven't been able to review the laptop yet, but it marks an interesting switch for the Dragonfly to the consumer segment from the commercial market. Can HP's newly designated 14-inch machine take on the best?

Read more
Apple’s secret VR headset just got revealed in a huge leak
A person wearing a virtual reality headset.

Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has revealed how Apple’s upcoming mixed-reality headset will work in precise detail. It’s the clearest look yet at Apple’s top-secret project -- potentially dubbed Reality Pro -- as until now we’ve had to rely on disparate rumors from various unconnected sources.

The headset will feature hand- and eye-tracking capabilities, which Gurman believes will be a “major selling point” for the device. Each user’s hand movements will be tracked by external cameras, while internal sensors will follow eye movement. As a result, users will be able to select on-screen items like apps and buttons just by looking at them.

Read more
The best VR and metaverse tech of CES 2023
A woman using Sony PlayStation VR 2 while friends watch on the TV.

Whether it's VR headsets, mixed reality, or wacky gadgets, CES 2023 was full of fresh interest in the world of metaverse technology.

This year's event was particularly exciting, boasting plenty of interesting ideas and different approaches. Here are our picks for the best of the new VR headsets, AR glasses, and more unveiled at the show.
HTC Vive XR Elite

Read more