Odroid-C1 Observation

[calzon65]

In my small ARM arsenal I have a few PogoPlugs, a BeagleBone, and BeagleBone Black. I saw the Pi2 announcement a few days ago, which looked interesting but I had hoped for eMMC storage as I have on my BBB.

Anyway, I was looking at the supported platforms on the Alarm website and just came across the Odroid-C1. This computer seemed eerily similar to the Pi2 but if I am reading the specs correctly, compared to the Pi2 it has a faster quad processor, has the eMMC I prefer, a fast UHS-1 microSD slot, plus a few other goodies all for $35.

My first reaction was ok what is the catch, because for the same base price as the Pi2, this computer seems to have quite a few more features and potentially better performance compared to the upcoming Pi2 (faster CPU, faster storage via the eMMC or the UHS-1 microSD, etc.).

So my question is am I missing something? Is it possible this computer might be overall faster than the Pi2 as I am speculating? I'm really curious to know if my impression is correct or are there some gotcha's I'm not considering.

[kmihelich]

Nope, not really missing anything, it's faster.

[grayman4hire]

I was just looking at this comparison between the Odroid-C1 and the Pi2 today also.
http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/02/02/ ... omparison/

You forgot to mention the Gigabit NIC on the Odroid versus the 10/100 NIC on the shared USB bus of the Pi.

In terms of specs, the Odroid is the clear winning I think, but the Pi community is much bigger. I guess it all depends on what you want to do with it.

[calzon65]

Wow I didn't even catch the gigabit versus 10/100 Ethernet difference. I went ahead and purchased an ODROID-C1 today, but I will also purchase a Pi2 just because I enjoy having a variety of ARM systems to play with.

I will add that I am shocked at the amazing power/price value of the C1 compared to the Pi2. This is a not complete knock against the Pi2 or the Raspberry Pi group. The Pi has an excellent ecosystem and the Raspberry Pi group is doing a great job of raising the awareness of low cost computing for the masses. I especially applaud their efforts to get computers into the hands of young people to stimulate their "creative technical thinking".

If there was one complaint I have against the C1 as I look at specs/photos (because I have not received my C1 yet), the location of the microSD card slot seems to be in an idiotic location. Why that was not edge mounded to be accessible through the case like the BBB, the Pi, etc., is a surprise to me ... unless there is some kind of secret access hatch on the bottom of the case.

[grayman4hire]

Where are you located, where did you buy it from and how much for shipping? $10 shipping on a $35 device sort of suck for the odroid. I tried buying two and shipping was even more.

[calzon65]

I am in the US and it appears that there is now a US distributor called Ameridroid (http://www.ameridroid.com). The lowest shipping price from Ameridroid, for delivery within the US, appears to be about $6.50 via US mail.

From your profile, you list SF, CA as your location. I believe Ameridroid is close to SF so you may be able to pick it up in person.

[grayman4hire]

Thanks for the reply.

I tried ordering from ameridroid but couldn't get the item in my cart. I thought their site was broken or the item was out of stock. However after you mentioned you ordered from them, I tried again using IE (I was using Chrome previously) and it's now work.

I need to resist the impulse buy since I already have a few projects I'm working though. Like you, I would still probably get a Pi2 anyways, so I need to resist.

[calzon65]

I received my C1 and got it running fine (both microSD and eMMC) with ArchLinux ARM.

I really love how the folks here at Alarm have created an easy-to-use ArchLinux distribution for such a wide variety of ARM systems. You guys have developed a consistent and simple to follow set of instructions. Thank you.