[makomk]

There's already a $15 Allwinner-based ARM board shipping now with similar specs, the Orange Pi PC. Quad-core (but only 32-bit) processor, 1GB of RAM, pretty much identical hardware video decode and GPU, 10/100 Ethernet, 3 USB ports, various expansion ports, thermal issues if you run at the advertised clock. (Why do I suspect the Pine has thermal issues? Take a look at the Kickstarter FAQ and how they carefully dodge questions on cooling.)

[deepnet]

Scheltema@MAKE suggests the Pine is differentiated by superior graphics: 4K HDMI, hardware H264 & H265 from a 2 core MALI400 GPU.

http://makezine.com/2015/12/09/the-15-pine64-just-launched-o...

[makomk]

The Orange Pi PC has a 2-core MALI400 GPU and hardware H264 and H265 decoding of 4K content, same as the Pine. Not sure whether it supports 4K HDMI out but I believe it does at 30Hz. The main differentiating factors seem to be that the Pine is 64-bit, has less RAM on the base $15 model, has battery support and isn't actually shipping yet. Oh, and the Pine is charging a lot more in shipping fees.

[rasz_pl]

what good is hardware video decoder block to you if it ships with GPL violating binary blob that only works on android with some ancient kernel?