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The single-board computer (SBC) market continues to evolve rapidly, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and specialization. February 2025 brought a wave of innovative releases tailored for industrial automation, AI development, IoT ecosystems, and DIY enthusiasts. Below, we break down five standout SBCs that could redefine embedded computing in the coming year.
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1. Kontron 3.5″-SBC-AML/ADN: Powerhouse for Industrial Automation
Release: February 2025 | Target: Industrial IoT, medical devices, digital signage
Kontron’s latest 3.5-inch SBC combines Intel’s Alder Lake-N architecture with rugged industrial design. Built for demanding environments, it supports up to 32 GB DDR5 RAM and features a suite of connectivity options, including dual Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe x4, and M.2 slots for storage expansion.
Key Features:
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Processor: Intel Alder Lake-N (hybrid performance/efficiency cores)
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Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (supports 4 displays via HDMI/DisplayPort)
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Storage: M.2 (NVMe/SATA) and SATA III support
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Ports: 2× HDMI, 2× DisplayPort, USB 3.2, RS232
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Power Efficiency: Optimized for 24/7 operation in energy-sensitive setups
Use Cases:
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Factory automation systems
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Medical imaging devices
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Interactive kiosks and POS terminals
Availability: Pricing pending, but Kontron confirms broad OS compatibility (Windows/Linux).
2. PocketBeagle 2: The Maker’s Swiss Army Knife
Release: February 2025 | Target: Education, robotics, IoT prototyping
A spiritual successor to the beloved 2017 original, the PocketBeagle 2 packs a punch with a dual-core Cortex-A53 CPU and a dedicated Cortex-M0+ microcontroller for real-time peripheral control. At just 55 × 35 mm, it’s smaller than a credit card but offers 72-pin GPIO, 8 analog inputs, and LiPo battery support.
Key Features:
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Processor: TI AM6232 (2× Cortex-A53 @ 1.0 GHz + Cortex-M4F)
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Expandability: 52 digital I/O pins, USB-C, and JTAG debugging
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Portability: 12.7g weight, microSD storage
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OS: Debian Linux with LXQT desktop
Use Cases:
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Classroom robotics projects
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Sensor networks and environmental monitoring
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Wearable tech prototypes
Availability: Price TBA, but expected to stay under $50 to compete with Raspberry Pi alternatives.
3. Orange Pi AIPro (8T): Democratizing Edge AI
Release: February 2025 | Target: Machine learning, edge computing
Orange Pi’s AI-focused SBC leverages Huawei’s Ascend 310B SoC, delivering up to 20 TOPS (INT8) for AI inference tasks. With dual MIPI CSI camera inputs and NVMe SSD support, it’s ideal for developers working on computer vision, autonomous drones, or smart surveillance systems.
Key Features:
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Processor: 4× Cortex-A76 + Mali-G57 GPU
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AI Acceleration: 8–20 TOPS via NPU
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Storage: M.2 NVMe, eMMC, microSD
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet
Use Cases:
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Real-time object detection
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Local LLM deployment
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4K video analytics
Availability: Coming soon to AliExpress and Amazon, with Ubuntu/openEuler support.
4. Boardcon SBC3576: Versatility Meets AI Inference
Release: February 2025 | Target: Industrial AI, 5G gateways
Powered by Rockchip’s RK3576 (4× Cortex-A72 + 4× Cortex-A53), the SBC3576 shines in hybrid computing scenarios. Its integrated 6 TOPS NPU handles AI workloads, while dual MIPI CSI ports and 4K@120Hz video outputs cater to multimedia applications.
Key Features:
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Processor: Rockchip RK3576 (8-core hybrid)
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NPU: 6 TOPS with BF16/TF32 support
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Expandability: M.2 slots for 5G/NVMe, CAN Bus, RS485
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Durability: Wide-temperature operation (-20°C to +70°C)
Use Cases:
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Smart city infrastructure
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Automated quality control systems
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Edge AI gateways
Availability: Priced competitively for enterprise buyers; preorders open via Boardcon distributors.
5. iWave iW-RainboW-G54S: Rugged Industrial Workhorse
Release: February 2025 | Target: Harsh environments, embedded systems
iWave’s credit-card-sized SBC is built to survive extremes, operating between -40°C to +85°C. Based on STM32MP1 Cortex-A7 SoCs, it emphasizes security with hardware cryptography and secure boot, making it a fit for critical infrastructure.
Key Features:
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Processor: STM32MP133/135 (Cortex-A7 + secure enclave)
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I/O: Dual CAN Bus, RS485, RGMII Ethernet
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Storage: 128 GB eMMC, microSD
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Certifications: RoHS3, REACH compliant
Use Cases:
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Oil/gas monitoring systems
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Railway signaling
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Military-grade IoT deployments
Availability: $268.42 (DigiKey) for base model with STM32MP135 and 512 MB RAM.
Trends to Watch in 2025
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AI Everywhere: NPUs are now standard in mid-to-high-tier SBCs, enabling on-device ML.
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Hybrid Architectures: Combining application CPUs with real-time microcontrollers (e.g., Cortex-M cores) for latency-sensitive tasks.
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5G Integration: M.2 slots for cellular modems are becoming commonplace, even in compact boards.
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Extreme Durability: Manufacturers are prioritizing wide-temperature operation and industrial certifications.
Whether you’re prototyping a smart factory solution or building a home lab, February 2025’s SBC lineup offers something for every use case—proving that innovation in embedded computing is far from slowing down.
