An affordable Raspberry Pi alternative: the NanoPi R28S is compact and purpose-built

FriendlyELEC has expanded its lineup with a new single-board computer: the NanoPi R28S. While it falls into the same broad product category as the Raspberry Pi (available on Amazon), it is a much more specialized system. Unlike a standard Raspberry Pi, which can double as a desktop PC, the NanoPi R28S is designed with a clear focus on networking applications. It features two Gigabit Ethernet ports but lacks a video output. Furthermore, its 1 GB of RAM is relatively limited, though it does include Wi-Fi 6 for wireless network connectivity.

Unlike many single-board computers, the R28S lacks a GPIO header, meaning external sensors and actuators cannot be connected directly, and overall expandability is restricted. However, UART debugging is supported, and a USB Type-C port handles both data transfer (via the USB 2.0 standard) and power delivery. There is also a battery connector to power the real-time clock, alongside a microSD card slot and support for an eMMC module.

The bare board measures 45 x 45 x 1.2 millimeters, while the system with the optional enclosure occupies 49.5 x 49.5 x 24 millimeters. According to the manufacturer, supported operating systems include Ubuntu 24.04 Core and FriendlyWrt 25.12, a distribution tailored for network applications. The NanoPi R28S is priced at $20, with buyers responsible for any applicable import duties.