The hunt for affordable, capable single-board computers (SBCs) just got a major new contender. StarFive has officially launched the VisionFive 2 Lite on Kickstarter, and its headline feature is impossible to ignore: a starting price of just $19. Positioned squarely as a budget-friendly alternative to popular boards like the Raspberry Pi, the VisionFive 2 Lite packs surprising specs into its tiny frame, including optional Wi-Fi and configurations with up to 8GB of RAM.
For makers, educators, hobbyists, and developers frustrated by ongoing Raspberry Pi shortages and inflated prices, the VisionFive 2 Lite arrives as a breath of fresh air. At its core beats the StarFive JH7110 SoC, featuring a quad-core 64-bit RISC-V CPU (SiFive U74 cores @ 1.5GHz) and an integrated IMG BXE-4-32 GPU. This marks a significant step in bringing the open-source RISC-V architecture to a wider, more accessible audience.
Key Specifications:
- SoC: StarFive JH7110 (Quad-core SiFive U74 RISC-V @ 1.5GHz, IMG BXE-4-32 GPU)
- Memory Options: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage: MicroSD slot, optional eMMC module socket
- Networking: Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), Optional 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 5 & Bluetooth 5.2 module
- Video Output: HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K@30fps)
- USB: 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 port
- Expansion: 40-pin GPIO header (Raspberry Pi compatible), MIPI CSI connector (for camera), 2x 4-lane MIPI DSI/CSI interfaces, PWM header
- Power: USB-C (5V)
- OS Support: Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenWrt, and more via the active RISC-V community.
The "Lite" designation primarily reflects the removal of the PCIe slot found on the original VisionFive 2, a trade-off that enables the aggressive sub-$20 price point for the base model. Crucially, the core computing power remains intact. The option to add Wi-Fi/BT and the availability of up to 8GB of RAM make higher-end configurations particularly compelling for more demanding projects like light desktop computing, network appliances, or media centers.
Why RISC-V Matters:
The VisionFive 2 Lite isn't just another SBC; it's part of the growing wave of RISC-V hardware. RISC-V is an open, royalty-free instruction set architecture (ISA), offering potential benefits like greater customization, reduced licensing costs, and a more diverse ecosystem long-term. While ARM software support is more mature, the RISC-V community is rapidly expanding, with increasing software porting efforts making boards like the VisionFive 2 Lite genuinely usable for everyday tasks.
Who is it For?
- Makers & Hobbyists: Perfect for robotics, home automation, sensor networks, and learning electronics.
- Educators: An extremely affordable platform for teaching computer science, hardware interfacing, and RISC-V concepts.
- Developers: A low-cost entry point for exploring RISC-V software development and porting applications.
- Raspberry Pi Seekers: A viable, available alternative for projects previously destined for a Pi 3B+ or Pi 4.
The Launch and Availability:
StarFive has chosen Kickstarter to launch the VisionFive 2 Lite, aiming to fund large-scale production. Early bird backers can secure the base 2GB model for just $19, with Wi-Fi-equipped models starting at $29. The 4GB and 8GB models offer significant headroom for more complex applications.
Check out the full campaign details, pledge levels, and technical deep dive on the official Kickstarter page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/starfive/visionfive-2-lite-unlock-risc-v-sbc-at-199
Shipping for the VisionFive 2 Lite is estimated to begin in November 2024. If StarFive delivers on its promises, the VisionFive 2 Lite could become a game-changer, bringing capable RISC-V computing to the masses and offering a real, affordable solution in a market still recovering from supply chain woes. It proves that powerful, open-source computing doesn't have to break the bank.
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