Nowadays, mini computers like Onion Omega, C.H.I.P., and Pine A64 mostly use Linux (and its derivative operating systems) or Android operating systems. Because they cannot run programs and games on the Windows platform, users familiar with the Windows operating system may find them inconvenient to use.
On the other hand, although Microsoft has released Windows 10 IoT Core, allowing development boards like Raspberry Pi 2 to run Windows, this version of the operating system is designed for ARM architecture and can only be considered a stripped-down version of Windows, which is not the same as real Windows 10. The programs are also not compatible, similar to the relationship between Windows 8 and Windows RT.The biggest feature of the LattePanda mini computer is that it supports real Windows 10. There are no word games; it is just like a “computer” as generally understood, unlike Windows RT, which only mimics the Windows interface but cannot run typical Windows programs and games.
Powered by a quad-core processor, paired with an Arduino co-processor
The LattePanda uses an Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor, with a clock speed of 1.8GHz and 2MB of high-speed cache (the development team did not specify the processor model, but it should be Atomx5-Z8300). Users can choose between a standard version with 2GB of RAM and 32GB eMMC storage, or a reinforced version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. Both versions come with Wi-Fi wireless networking and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless transmission, as well as 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, 10/100Mbps wired network port, and HDMI audio and video output port.
On the other hand, the LattePanda motherboard also includes an additional ATmega32U4 processor, which is compatible with the Arduino development environment. It also has 2 serial ports (one for Windows and one for Arduino), and 22 GPIO ports (2 for Windows and 20 for Arduino), allowing LattePanda to also serve as a development board, making it easy for makers to develop various IoT devices.
The development team stated that considering the size of the motherboard, and the fact that LattePanda already integrates built-in networking, wireless networking, and Bluetooth functions, compatibility with Arduino Shields has been removed. The development team has also prepared a dedicated 7 inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 for LattePanda, increasing its flexibility as a vehicle computer and IoT device, and even allowing for simultaneous use of the 7 inch screen and HDMI output to build a dual-screen environment.
The Firewheel team, professional development board sales service provider
