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BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 vs FriendlyElec NanoPi M4: Comparison
What is the difference between BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 and FriendlyElec NanoPi M4?
The first real difference is onboard storage: BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 16GB eMMC, microSD against FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 microSD slot; eMMC socket. sbc-bench: 7-Zip MIPS, multi-threaded (MIPS), sbc-bench run backs the spec sheet up. FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 scores 6,400 to 3,470, 46% clear. They differ on soc model too, TI TDA4VM, Dual-Core Cortex-A72 @ 2.0GHz + C7x DSP... on the BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 versus Hexa-core on the FriendlyElec NanoPi M4. Connectivity is not the same on both, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 , M.2 E-key PCIe on the BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 versus Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth on the FriendlyElec NanoPi M4.
Which should you buy, BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 or FriendlyElec NanoPi M4?
Take the BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 for industrial robotics, drone, and real-time computer vision projects needing heterogeneous compute and guaranteed low-latency sensor processing. It is the wrong buy for general-purpose computing, media centers, or hobbyist projects, this board's specialized architecture is wasted outside vision/robotics workloads. Buy the FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 for budget buyers who want proven, long-available RK3399-class performance. It is not the one for buyers who want a built-in NPU or the newest available silicon. Our rating of the BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 (7/10): A purpose-built heterogeneous compute board for industrial robotics and vision work, wasted on anything general-purpose. Our rating of the FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 (7/10): proven, long-available RK3399 performance at a budget price, minus an NPU.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- BeagleBoard.org
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- FriendlyElec
SoC Model
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- TI TDA4VM, Dual-Core Cortex-A72 @ 2.0GHz + C7x DSP + 6x Cortex-R5F + 2x C66x DSP
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- Hexa-core (Dual Cortex-A72 + Quad Cortex-A53)
Onboard Storage
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- 16GB eMMC, microSD
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- microSD slot; eMMC socket (no onboard eMMC)
Connectivity
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 (Type-C + 2x Type-A), M.2 E-key PCIe (WiFi)
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth
Benchmarks
- Other Published Benchmarks
sbc-bench: 7-Zip MIPS, multi-threaded (MIPS), sbc-bench run
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- 3,470-46%
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- 6,400Best
sbc-bench Results (Thomas Kaiser), retrieved 23 Sept 2026. Higher is better.
Compression, encryption and memory tests. Small gaps can come from software, not hardware.
sbc-bench: 7-Zip MIPS, single-threaded (MIPS), sbc-bench run
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- 1,872Best
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- 1,835-2%
sbc-bench Results (Thomas Kaiser), retrieved 23 Sept 2026. Higher is better.
Compression, encryption and memory tests. Small gaps can come from software, not hardware.
sbc-bench: OpenSSL AES-256-CBC, single thread (KB/s), sbc-bench run
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- 1,130,390Best
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- 1,128,3300%
sbc-bench Results (Thomas Kaiser), retrieved 23 Sept 2026. Higher is better.
Compression, encryption and memory tests. Small gaps can come from software, not hardware.
sbc-bench: Memory copy bandwidth (tinymembench memcpy) (MB/s), sbc-bench run
- BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
- 2,660-35%
- FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
- 4,080Best
sbc-bench Results (Thomas Kaiser), retrieved 23 Sept 2026. Higher is better.
Compression, encryption and memory tests. Small gaps can come from software, not hardware.
sbc-bench by Thomas Kaiser (github.com/ThomasKaiser/sbc-bench, Results.md). Copyright (c) 2018, Thomas Kaiser. All rights reserved. Redistributed under the BSD 3-Clause License; full notice, conditions and disclaimer: github.com/ThomasKaiser/sbc-bench/blob/master/LICENSE
Which one should you pick?
Choose BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 if you want the higher sbc-bench: 7-Zip MIPS, single-threaded (MIPS), sbc-bench run (1,872 vs 1,835) and the higher sbc-bench: OpenSSL AES-256-CBC, single thread (KB/s), sbc-bench run (1,130,390 vs 1,128,330).
Choose FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 if you want the higher sbc-bench: 7-Zip MIPS, multi-threaded (MIPS), sbc-bench run (6,400 vs 3,470) and the higher sbc-bench: memory copy bandwidth (tinymembench memcpy) (MB/s), sbc-bench run (4,080 vs 2,660).
Price comparison
| Retailer | BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64 | FriendlyElec NanoPi M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $50.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
BeagleBoard.org BeagleBone AI-64
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A purpose-built heterogeneous compute board for industrial robotics and vision work, wasted on anything general-purpose.
FriendlyElec NanoPi M4
7 / 10 Expert Rating
Proven, long-available RK3399 performance at a budget price, minus an NPU.