This article will show you the advantages offered by Mango Pi and how it may become an ideal alternative for Raspberry Pi Zero.
Mango Pi – Raspberry Pi Zero W Alternative?
Mango Pi is a single-board mini-computer that provides almost the same features which are offered by the previous Raspberry Pi Zero W model. If you don’t have an idea about the Raspberry Pi Zero W model, refer to our published article to know about it.
With Mango Pi, you can install a lightweight operating system and connect different peripheral devices with the board to work on them. In addition, you can execute various other tasks like building a home router to secure your internet connection, or you can turn your home into a smart home using the device GPIO Pinout options.
The Mango Pi includes a C906 RISC-V processor, which is similar to an ARM processor in terms of functioning. However, RISC-V is an open-source license free architecture that doesn’t require any royalty-fee from its users. It means the users can innovate the micro-architecture of the RISC-V processor. The processor comprises a 1GHz processing speed, and the device’s performance is further boosted with the inclusion of 512MB/1GB RAM. With this processing speed, you will be able to install your favorite Raspberry Pi desktop environment on your board. In addition, you will also find a 4K capable H.265/H.264 video processing unit with an HDMI port that supports up to 4K/30fps output, making your desktop experience well above your imagination.
It also includes a WiFi option already enabled in the device, so you don’t need to use the ethernet option when you have WiFi connectivity. However, if you still choose the Ethernet option, you can use the Ethernet port already built in to speed up your internet connectivity. Further, the built-in Bluetooth module enables you to share files with other devices, making it an ideal choice for doing computer-related tasks.
If you are a tech enthusiast, you will surely want to develop several projects which you can do using its GPIO pins sections. However, it requires little effort to set up GPIO pins as you have to use the soldering technique to connect the wires with the Pins to utilize their functionality. Like the Raspberry Pi Zero W model, it also has a Type-C input supply port for powering up the device and two additional Type-C ports connecting various peripheral devices with the board.
Differences with Raspberry Pi Zero W
Mango Pi is an ideal choice for running 2D desktop applications and headless use cases. Further, its processor is license-free and doesn’t charge any royalty fee. However, Mango Pi will cost you around 20$, which is slightly higher than Raspberry Pi Zero W, which you can purchase for 15$. Further, in the Pro Mango Pi model, you will also get a limited choice of operating systems as its repositories aren’t included on the GitHub website.
Final Thoughts
Mango Pi is the latest series of micro-computer designed for DIY enthusiasts who want to develop different projects to polish their learning skills. It offers similar features which you can get in the Raspberry Pi Zero W model, but its processor is license-free and doesn’t require any royalty fee. Also, it allows you the freedom to run 2D desktop applications as well. Thus, it’s unfair to say that this device would be an ideal alternative for the Raspberry Pi Zero W model. However, it requires some additional amount if you want to purchase it and use it for project development purposes.
