Rhombus Tech A10 EOMA-68 CPU Card Schematics Completed

lkcl writes "Rhombus Tech's first CPU Card is nearing completion and availability: the schematics have been completed by Wits-Tech. Although it appears strange to be using a 1ghz Cortex A8 for the first CPU Card, the mass-volume price of the A10 was lower than other offerings. Not only does the A10 classify as 'good enough' (in combination with 1GB of RAM), Allwinner Tech is one of the very rare China-based SoC companies willing to collaborate with Software (Libre) developers without an enforced (GPL-violating) NDA in place. Overall, it's the very first step in the right direction for collaboration between Software (Libre) developers and mass-volume PRC Factories. There will be more (faster, better) EOMA-68 CPU Cards: this one is just the first."

Allwinner Tech

[Taco Cowboy]

Allwinner Tech is one of the very rare China-based SoC companies willing to collaborate with Software (Libre) developers without an enforced (GPL-violating) NDA in place

Allwinner Tech is the company behind the ARM-based SoC that have powered many many tablets and smartphones

And they only charge $7 per Cortex A8-SoC

Re:WHAT?

[SuricouRaven]

While a lot of hobbyists will be using the Pi, the real target is education. It's cheap enough that when some kid steps on it, throws it against the wall in anger or pulls components off just for fun (I work in a school, all that happens) it can just be replaced. Your a10 board may be only twice the price, but that's a big difference in a sector where the most common cause of equipment failure is vandalism.