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The newest ESP32 can run Linux and it's getting close to a Raspberry Pi

237 points · 123 comments · adunk

  1. tahoemph999 · · focus · HN ↗
    In the abstract I don't care. Without a set of project requirements for an embedded project this is just a soup of features. What is more impressive is the wild diversity of options they offer. Further making serious fun of anybody who gets lost in trying to maintain a MCU vs SBC processor dichotomy. Focus on the application. I think the difference is in how people conceptualize general purpose computing (desktop) and the thing I want on my wrist or on my copter or in my machinery and so on. It isn't in MCU vs SBC etc.
    1. ValdikSS · · focus · HN ↗
      I don't know what's the final retail/bulk price of S31 and its modules will be, but S3 module with 16 MB NOR Flash and 8 MB PSRAM costs $3.5 for 500+ pcs, and the final PCB BOM cost is $4 or so.

      According to Espressif website, current "reference price" for S31 sample module (1 piece) with 16MB flash + 16MB RAM is $6.2.

      If S31 won't be much more expensive than S3 in bulk, it has a chance to become a very successful and what's more importantly really cheap full-featured Linux platform, in a small form factor, with flash, RAM, and radios integrated.

      Espressif here could easily kill many contenders. You can count Wi-Fi-integrated Linux SoCs on one hand, let alone with RAM+Flash integrated, let alone cheap and available in quantities, and with reasonable soft and tech support.

      Oh, and ESP module quite literally doesn't need anything more than a 3.3V power and maybe 2 capacitors to work.

      1. mrheosuper · · focus · HN ↗
        The s31 wroom-3 modules cost 40CNY from official espressif store. A significant more expensive than S3, but it brings a lot to table.

        There are a lot of competitors in China, the BK7258 is arguably better than S3, but cost similar.

        And if you are willing to sign NDA, there are much better offer from BES.

        1. ValdikSS · · focus · HN ↗
          Wow, I haven't heard about BK7258.

          What BES chip are you referring to?

          1. mrheosuper · · focus · HN ↗
            Bes2700(a lot of variant, 1 with wifi)
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