When comparing MinnowBoard Max vs HummingBoard Gate, the Slant community recommends HummingBoard Gate for most people. In the question“What are the best single-board computers?” HummingBoard Gate is ranked 23rd while MinnowBoard Max is ranked 29th. The most important reason people chose HummingBoard Gate is:
Since the HummingBoard Gate comes with different versions, including different CPU versions, it can also run the same software without any problem on any CPU regardless of the number of cores.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Completely open source
MinnowBoard is a non-profit backed by Intel. meaning it gets advice for its architecture by Intel. But all hardware and software parts, including all drivers are completely free and open source.
Pro USB 3.0 available
The MinnowBoard Max has 2 USB ports, one of which is a USB 3.0.
Pro Great for hacking away
Other than releasing all drivers as open source, Intel has also made the schematics of the board available to download. This way, hackers can give it a try and build anything they want without restrictions.
Pro Same software runs on single to quad CPU without any problems
Since the HummingBoard Gate comes with different versions, including different CPU versions, it can also run the same software without any problem on any CPU regardless of the number of cores.
Pro Some models fit inside a Raspberry Pi case
HummingBoard-Pro and HummingBoard-Base fit inside a Raspberry Pi model B case (but be aware that many cases will block the IR).
Pro Extremely extendable
Hummingboard Gate has a native mikroBUS system which lets users attach any “click board” that’s compatible with MikroElektronika’s system. This way the board can be extended by adding motion sensors, wifi cards, physical buttons, temperature sensors, NFC or Bluetooth and much more.
Pro Can be used as a media streaming device
HummingBoard works really well with Kodi and can be turned into a media streaming device with ease.
Pro Selection of great operating systems
Hummingboard supports OpenELEC 5.0, GeexBox XBMC, Android and Debian officially, but it can also run ArchLinux, openSUSE and Fedora successfully.
Cons
Con Multi-USB hub almost a necessity
Because it has only two USB ports, one of which to be used for charging, a multi-USB hub is needed to connect a keyboard and mouse which are the absolute minimal external devices to be able to use and configure the MinnowBoard.
Con No official OS images have the kernel with GPIO enabled
Although this is not the board's fault per-se, no official OS image has enabled support for GPIO. But if the kernel is compiled from source, it can be compiled with GPIO and PWM enabled.
Con Pretty expensive
Starting at $70, prices can go up to $235 depending on the model and the components that users choose to add to the board. For these prices it's rather expensive relative to other single board computers.
Con No built-in Wifi for the cheapest version
The cheapest version of the Humingboard Gate doesn't have a built-in Wifi card. You can either buy it separately as an add-on or you can buy a more expensive version of the Humingboard Gate which has a built-in Wifi card.