BeagleBone Green vs. Raspberry Pi: Comparison of Two Low-cost SBCs

Single-board computers (SBCs) have revolutionized the DIY electronics market, providing a small and low-cost solution for hobbyists, students, and professionals to design and build anything from simple robots to complex home automation systems. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one is better suited to a specific project. In this article, we will compare two popular SBCs, the BeagleBone Green and the Raspberry Pi, to help you decide which one will best fit your needs.

Price

For many hobbyists and makers, the cost of an SBC is a critical factor. The Raspberry Pi has always been the go-to option for low-cost SBCs, with the latest Raspberry Pi 4B with 2GB of RAM priced at around $35. On the other hand, the BeagleBone Green is priced at around $44, making it a slightly more expensive option. However, the BeagleBone Green still offers excellent value for money compared to other microcontroller boards on the market.

Performance and Power Consumption

Both the BeagleBone Green and the Raspberry Pi SBCs have similar processing capabilities. The Raspberry Pi 4B uses a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC running at 1.5GHz, while the BeagleBone Green uses a Texas Instruments AM3358 ARM Cortex-A8, which runs at 1GHz. On paper, the Raspberry Pi's clock speed is slightly better, but the performance difference between these two SBCs is negligible for most non-intensive applications.

When it comes to power consumption, the BeagleBone Green is the clear winner. It consumes less power than the Raspberry Pi, making it a better option for use in battery-operated projects.

Connectivity

Both SBCs come with numerous connectivity options. The Raspberry Pi has two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, two micro-HDMI ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the BeagleBone Green comes with just two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The Raspberry Pi does offer more USB ports and HDMI ports, but the BeagleBone Green's two USB ports are sufficient for most internet-of-things (IoT) projects.

GPIO

GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) pins are an essential feature on any microcontroller board and play a crucial role in interfacing with other devices. The Raspberry Pi has 40 GPIO pins, while the BeagleBone Green has 65 pins. The additional pins make the BeagleBone Green a more preferable option for those handling complex projects requiring a diverse range of interfaces.

Conclusion

While both SBCs have their pros and cons, it ultimately comes down to the specific demands of your project. If you're looking for a cheaper option, then the Raspberry Pi is your go-to pick. But if you're seeking low power consumption and more GPIO pins, the BeagleBone Green is a better option. Ultimately, both SBCs are excellent choices for a wide range of applications.

References

• BeagleBone Green Specs, Circuitco.
• Raspberry Pi Specs, Raspberry Pi Foundation.
• Teardown: BeagleBone Green, EE World.