Orange Pi 5 Plus - Best High-Performance SBC for Linux & Android
A powerhouse SBC that blurs the line between a compact board and a mini-PC, delivering exceptional raw performance and high-end connectivity for demanding development and media tasks.
- +Desktop-class Rockchip RK3588 SoC with powerful Cortex-A76 and A55 cores
- +Premium connectivity including 2.5G Ethernet, NVMe M.2, and multiple USB 3.0
- +Built-in NPU for AI acceleration and capable 8K media decoding
- -Software support and community are less extensive than Raspberry Pi
- -Can require more technical knowledge for initial setup and driver configuration
- -Higher power consumption compared to entry-level SBCs
The Orange Pi 5 Plus is engineered for users who need maximum performance in a single-board form factor. At its heart is the formidable Rockchip RK3588 SoC, which combines high-performance Cortex-A76 cores with power-efficient A55 cores, enabling smooth multitasking, software compilation, and even light graphical work. This processing muscle is matched by a superior set of I/O options typically found in more expensive mini-PCs. The inclusion of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port offers future-proof network bandwidth, while NVMe M.
2 support allows for blisteringly fast storage, eliminating the bottleneck of microSD cards. The board also features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of up to 6 TOPS, opening the door to on-device machine learning and AI inference projects without external hardware. With support for 8K video decoding and multiple display outputs, it is an excellent candidate for a high-end media center or digital signage player. While it runs various Linux distributions and Android, the user experience can sometimes involve navigating less-polished software images compared to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem. For developers, tinkerers, and media enthusiasts who prioritize cutting-edge hardware and are comfortable with a more hands-on software approach, the Orange Pi 5 Plus represents exceptional value and capability, truly punching above its weight class.