- Key info on the Orange Pi AI Studio/Pro Series.
- Maybe you missed it? MeLE Quieter DL.
The Orange Pi AI Studio and Orange Pi AI Studio Pro Mini PC Series have been launched worldwide, offering tough competition to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano with performance reaching up to 352 TOPS.
Orange Pi AI and Studio Pro AI boxes are now officially available for purchase in China on JD.com, as well as internationally. The AI Studio is priced at 6,808 RMB (955 USD) and 7,854 RMB (1,100 USD) for the 48GB and 96GB RAM versions, respectively, while the AI Studio Pro costs 13,606 RMB (1,909 USD) and 15,698 RMB (2,200 USD) for the 96GB and 192GB configurations. Although the AI mini-PC is aimed at the Chinese market, the Orange Pi AI Studio Pro can also be found on AliExpress for approximately $2,350/$2,640 plus shipping (A reseller account, not associated with Shenzhen Xunlong Software or Orange Pi).
Orange Pi high-performance Mini PCs are tailored for power AI users. Equipped with an advanced NPU capable of an astounding 352 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), this device is designed to provide outstanding performance across a variety of applications, including machine learning, data analysis, real-time image processing, and complex computational tasks.
The company offers two main product variants: the standard model with 176 TOPS and the more advanced Orange Pi AI Studio Pro, which delivers an impressive 352 TOPS.
Below is a general comparison table featuring the Orange Pi AI Studio alongside the Orange Pi AI Studio Pro.
| Specification | Orange Pi AI Studio | Orange Pi AI Studio Pro |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Huawei Ascend 310 octa-core 64-bit processor (up to 176 TOPS AI performance) | 2× Huawei Ascend 310 octa-core 64-bit processors (up to 352 TOPS AI performance) |
| System Memory | 48GB or 96GB LPDDR4X @ 4266 Mbps | 96GB or 192GB LPDDR4X @ 4266 Mbps |
| Storage | 32MB SPI flash | 2× 32MB SPI flash |
| USB | 1× USB 4.0 Type-C port | 1× USB 4.0 Type-C port |
| Expansion | RGB light port | RGB light port |
| Misc | Power button | Power button |
| Power Supply | 120W (12V 10A) via 5.5/2.5mm DC jack | 240W (12V 20A) via 5.5/2.5mm DC jack |
| Dimensions | 132.6 × 110.9 × 39 mm | 207.7 × 132.6 × 40 mm |
| Host System | Ubuntu 22.04.5, Linux 5.15.0.126, Windows (coming soon) | Ubuntu 22.04.5, Linux 5.15.0.126, Windows (coming soon) |
Exclusive photos (Engineering sample)
Both devices use an active heatsink to cool most of the board’s electronic components. They are not as power-efficient as the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano series, but Huawei is definitely making progress.
🧠 Hardware Comparison Table
Here’s a comprehensive comparison table of the Orange Pi AI Studio, Orange Pi AI Studio Pro, and NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano, combining all key specs and features:
| Feature | Orange Pi AI Studio | Orange Pi AI Studio Pro | NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Compute Power | 176 TOPS (INT8) | 352 TOPS (INT8) | 40 TOPS (INT8) |
| AI Processor | Huawei Ascend 310s | Huawei Ascend 310s (dual) | NVIDIA Orin SoC |
| CPU | 8-core ARM | 8-core ARM | 6-core ARM Cortex-A78AE |
| RAM | 48GB / 96GB LPDDR4X | 96GB / 192GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 32MB SPI flash | 2× 32MB SPI flash | microSD + NVMe support |
| Power Consumption | Up to 120W | Up to 240W | ~15W typical |
| OS Support | Ubuntu, OpenEuler, Windows | Ubuntu, OpenEuler, Windows | Ubuntu-based JetPack |
| Framework Support | ONNX, TensorFlow, Caffe | ONNX, TensorFlow, Caffe | PyTorch, TensorRT, ONNX |
| Developer Tools | Huawei CANN (via Docker) | Huawei CANN (via Docker) | JetPack SDK, CUDA, NGC |
| PyTorch Support | Via ONNX conversion only | Via ONNX conversion only | Native support |
| Cooling Needs | Moderate | High (may need extra cooling) | Optimized for edge deployment |
| Best Use Case | Budget AI dev, moderate load | High-throughput AI workloads | Edge AI, robotics, dev-friendly |
Key Features:
1. High-Performance AI Chipset: At the heart of the OrangePi AI Studio Pro lies a robust 320 TOPS AI chipset by Huawei, specifically designed to handle intensive AI workloads with remarkable efficiency. This powerful chipset enables seamless execution of deep learning algorithms and enhances the overall responsiveness of applications, making it an ideal choice for developers and researchers alike.
2. Ample Memory Capacity: Equipped with up to 192GB LPDDR4X RAM, the OrangePi AI Studio ensures that you have sufficient memory to run multiple applications simultaneously without compromising performance. This substantial memory capacity is particularly beneficial for data-intensive tasks and complex computations, enabling users to push the boundaries of what is possible in their projects.
3. ARM Architecture: Built on a robust ARM architecture, the OrangePi AI Studio series offers enhanced power efficiency and performance optimization. This architecture is well-suited for running high-performance applications while maintaining low power consumption, making it an environmentally friendly choice for developers looking to create sustainable solutions.
5. Compact Design: The mini-PC form factor of the OrangePi AI Studio makes it easy to integrate into various environments, whether in a lab setting, office space, or even at home. Its compact design does not compromise on performance; instead, it provides a powerful computing solution that can fit into any workspace without taking up excessive room.
6. Developer-Friendly Environment: The OrangePi AI Studio is compatible with popular programming languages and frameworks and allows for easy integration into existing workflows. Whether you are developing new algorithms or deploying machine learning models, this device provides a solid foundation for innovation. The software supports Ubuntu, Windows, and openEuler, which is an open-source operating system (OS) designed for digital infrastructure. It’s developed and maintained by the OpenAtom Foundation, with contributions from Huawei Technologie
🧰 Essential Software Frameworks
The Orange Pi AI Studio and AI Studio Pro are designed for high-performance AI computing, currently compatible with Linux-based systems, with future plans to support Windows. Below is a table highlighting their software tool compatibility and support.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| CANN Toolkit | Huawei’s Compute Architecture for Neural Networks. Includes compilers, runtime, and tools for model conversion and optimization. |
| Mind Studio | Full-stack AI development platform for Ascend chips. Supports visual programming, debugging, and model deployment. |
| Matrix Framework | Service orchestration framework for deploying inference services. Uses graphs and engines to manage data flow and execution on Ascend 310. |
| DVPP | Digital Vision Pre-Processing module. Handles image/video decoding, scaling, and encoding. |
| AIModelManager | API for loading and running offline models on Ascend 310 hardware. |
| ACL (Ascend Computing Language) | Low-level programming interface for custom operator development and hardware acceleration. |
| Framework Support | ONNX, TensorFlow, Caffe ONNX, TensorFlow, Caffe PyTorch, TensorRT, ONNX |
| PyTorch Support | Via ONNX conversion only Via ONNX conversion only Native support |
| Developer Tools | CANN Toolkit, Mind Studio, Matrix, DVPP, AIModelManager, ACL Same as Studio JetPack SDK, CUDA, TensorRT, NGC |
| Model Conversion | Required via CANN Required via CANN Not required (native support) |
| Best Use Case | Budget AI dev, moderate load High-throughput AI workloads Edge AI, robotics, dev-friendly |
Concluding remarks
To sum up, the OrangePi AI Studio stands out as a remarkable mini-PC tailored for artificial intelligence applications. With its powerful 320 TOPS AI chipset in the pro model, flexible memory options, versatile OS compatibility, and efficient ARM architecture, it offers an exceptional computing experience for professionals in various fields. Whether you’re an AI researcher, developer, or a tech enthusiast exploring advanced AI technologies, this mini-PC is a strong competitor to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano.
