Rock Around the Clock
The modern computing world has undergone some drastic changes in the past decade. Nowadays, you can find a mini-computer that fits in the palm of your hand, while still being powerful enough for many tasks. And no, we’re not talking about your smartphone.
Single-board computers (SBCs) are a technology that provides computing power in a tiny form factor. Today, we’ll be looking at the Rock Pi X, which was developed by the Radxa team, as a Windows alternative to their Rock Pi 4.
The Rock Pi X features a quad-core x86 Intel Atom processor with up to 4 GB RAM and 128 GB of onboard storage. It comes in two models: A and B. The only difference between the two is the inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities on the model B.
With a starting price of around $80, the RockPi X might be the next SBC you want to get your hands on. But before you take the plunge, we’ll be taking a closer look at the RockPi X model B’s features. By the end of the article, you’ll have a clear idea about whether the Rock Pi X is a good choice for your next project.
Features
While there are several notable features for this SBC, we’ll focus on a few of the most important.
Processor
The ‘X’ in the Rock Pi X stands actually for its x86 processor. Specifically, it’s an Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail processor. You don’t typically see many SBCs with Intel processors, other than few notable exceptions such as the Atomic Pi. This processor allows you to run various 32-bit programs at relatively high speeds. When you couple this with Intel’s 8th Generation graphics, you can even expect some light gaming on the side.
Storage
Another great feature is the inclusion of the onboard eMMC storage. The Rock Pi X comes with up to a maximum of 128 GB of built-in flash storage. If you need more storage, an additional microSD card of up to 128 GB is supported.
So, effectively, you can have up to 256 GB of total memory storage, which is more than enough for a variety of applications. This is especially helpful if you want to use the Rock Pi X as a media center, so you can store all your favorite media on a single device.
Operating System
Offering a choice of operating system is what led to the development of the Rock Pi X. Thanks to its x86 processor, it’s one of the few boards that’s able to run Windows OS natively. You can also easily install various distributions of Linux. Furthermore, the Radxa team provides you with everything that’s needed to get started with either Windows or Linux on their website.
Audio
The audio features on the Rock Pi X include a full-sized (3.5-mm) gold-plated headphone jack. It also supports microphone capabilities without the need for any additional hardware. This means that you can easily use the Rock Pi X with your sound system, no extra sound card required.
Size
Another distinguishing feature of the Rock Pi X is its form factor. For its small size of just 85 x 54 mm, it provides some serious output while still being able to easily install and run various applications without compromising on performance. It almost fits in the palm of your hand, and its tiny size can be really useful where limited space is available.
The Bottom Line
In a space where most of the options available are ARM-based processors, having an x86 processor SBC is refreshing. The wide array of features enable the Rock Pi X to be a very versatile board. You can use it as a mini-computer for basic tasks or as the brains embedded in a bigger project.
The most mainstream competitor to the Rock Pi X in terms of performance and price is the Raspberry Pi 4. The two boards differ with respect to their operating system and the choice of processors they use. Additionally, the Rock Pi X has a built-in headphone jack that supports a microphone too. If you want the same capabilities on the Raspberry Pi, you’d need to add an extra sound card.
They both also feature a very similar I/O configuration. However, the ability to run 32-bit native Windows applications makes the Rock Pi a clear choice for those who are partial to running Windows. (While this is technically possible on a Raspberry Pi, it’s not nearly as straightforward.)
In a Reddit thread, the Rock Pi X is compared with some SBCs running the same processor, and it regularly comes out on top. You can even install Android on your Rock Pi X, although it’s not yet officially supported by the Radxa team.
So, if your next embedded project requires you to run Windows or a media center, the Rock Pi X seems to be a great choice.
Specifications
The features mentioned are just some highlights of the Rock Pi X. When you take a complete look at the specs, you’ll understand that there’s more to it than what meets the eye.
- CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8350 Cherry Trail quad-core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz (Turbo); Intel Gen. 8 HD graphics @ 500 MHz
- Memory: Dual channel LPDDR3 @ 1866Mb/s; 1-, 2-, or 4-GB memory options available
- Storage: eMMC module (optional industrial compatible high-performance eMMC module; 16, 32, 64, 128 GB available); microSD slot (up to 128 GB)
- Display: HDMI 2.0 port (up to 4K @ 30fps output)
- Audio: 3.5-mm jack with microphone; HD codec supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio
- Onboard network support: GbE LAN with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support (additional HAT is required for powering from PoE)
- Onboard wireless support: 802.11 AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 with on-board antenna and external antenna support
- USB ports: 1x USB 3.0 OTG; 3x USB 2.0
- Input/output: 40-pin GPIO expansion header
- Supported OS: Windows 10, Ubuntu
- Dimensions: 85 x 54 mm
Where To Buy
Convinced? You can find the Rock Pi X at the following retailers:
Lead image source: ExplainingComputers via YouTube
License: The text of "Rock Pi X: Review the Specs" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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