RISC-V single-board computer for less than 40 euros

Performance and Use Cases

• Disagreement on speed: some say the board feels “unbearably slow,” others argue raw CPU is closer to a Pi 4 than Pi 3 for non-SIMD workloads.
• SIMD (Neon) absence and immature software stack are noted as main performance drawbacks vs ARM.
• Extra RAM (2–8 GB vs Pi 3’s 512 MB–1 GB) and NVMe via M.2 are highlighted as major practical advantages for builds, dev work, and general usability.
• Consensus that neither current RISC‑V SBCs nor Raspberry Pis are great full‑time desktops; cheap used x86/Macs are often recommended instead.

Storage Choices and SD Endurance

• NVMe is praised but some argue SD cards are sufficient for light CLI/dev use, especially with ample RAM caching.
• Concerns about SD wear are countered with back‑of‑envelope calculations suggesting very high build counts before failure for large cards.

Software, ISA, and Distro Support

• JH7110’s lack of RVA23 compliance raises future‑compatibility worries, especially with Ubuntu’s decision to target RVA23.
• Debate over Ubuntu’s stance: some call it premature and exclusionary; others see it as necessary to push vendors toward robust, modern RISC‑V implementations.
• Fedora and Debian are cited as better fits for current non‑RVA23 hardware.
• One commenter states that “basically everything works” Linux‑wise, though others fear untested riscv64 paths and subtle bugs.

Ecosystem, Alternatives, and Positioning

• Orange Pi RV2 is recommended as faster with better software support than this board.
• Other cheap RISC‑V options (Milk‑V Duo, Banana Pi F3, Pico‑class MCUs) are mentioned, stressing differences between microcontrollers and full SBCs.
• Discussion on why competitive high‑end RISC‑V cores are rare: integration effort, risk aversion, and the fact that “people buy solutions, not ISAs.”

Hardware Design and Security

• M.2 (single PCIe lane) is appreciated; lack of full PCIe slots is attributed to signal‑integrity, PCB cost, and validation complexity.
• Some want boards without onboard flash/wireless for offline security uses.
• Concerns raised about hidden binary blobs, especially for GPU (IMG BXE) firmware, limiting hobby OS and security‑focused work.

GDPR, Cookie UI, and Ads

• Thread extensively criticizes the site’s cookie banner: full‑screen, “accept all” prominent, no easy “reject all.”
• Some argue this violates GDPR guidance requiring symmetric consent options; others say users can just close the tab.
• Broader frustration with “malicious compliance” cookie UIs and surveillance‑driven ad models; several suggest privacy‑friendly defaults or contextual (non‑tracking) ads instead.