The NanoPi M6 is a compact and open-source single-board computer (SBC) designed for high-performance applications, powered by the RK3588S System-on-Chip. Key features include an M.2 M-Key PCIe slot for SSD storage and an optional metal case with an integrated 3.5-inch LCD.

The board is built around the Rockchip RK3588S SoC, which combines quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 and quad-core Cortex-A55 CPUs, along with the Mali-G610 MP4 GPU for efficient graphical processing. It supports up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM at 2400MHz and includes an eMMC flash socket and a microSD card slot for additional storage.

The NanoPi M6 offers a variety of connectivity options, including three USB ports and native Gigabit Ethernet, powered by the RTL8211F chip. It features an M.2 Key-M socket for PCIe storage and an M.2 Key-E socket for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth via PCIe or USB, making it flexible for expanding storage and integrating wireless connectivity.

In terms of multimedia capabilities, the NanoPi M6 supports video decoding at up to 8K resolution, with 60 frames per second for H.265/VP9 formats and 30 frames per second for H.264. It includes an HDMI output compatible with HDMI 2.1, 2.0, and 1.4, supporting resolutions up to 7680 x 4320 at 60Hz, and 10-bit RGB/YUV formats.

The board also offers two 4-lane MIPI-DSI interfaces for display output and two 4-lane MIPI-CSI interfaces for video input.

FriendlyElec supports a range of operating systems on the NanoPi M6, including Android, Debian, Ubuntu, and FriendlyWrt, catering to both headless and display-based configurations. However, the board is not currently supported by lightweight OS options such as Armbian or DietPi.

The company also offers a custom CNC metal housing for the NanoPi M6, which includes a built-in 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD with a resolution of 480×800.

Specifications listed for NanoPi M6 include:

• Memory/Storage:
  • Up to 32GB LPDDR5 @ 2400MHz
  • eMMC socket
  • 1x MicroSD slot
• Audio/Display:
  • 1x HDMI
  • 2x 4-lane MIPI-DSI
  • 3.5mm audio jack & mic input
• Camera:
  • 1x 4-lane MIPI-CSI
  • 1x 4-lane MIPI-CSI D/C PHY
• Connectivity:
  • 1x GbE LAN port
• Expansion:
  • 1x M.2 M-Key 2280
  • 1x M.2 E-Key 2230
• I/O Interfaces:
  • 30-pin GPIO expansion header
• USB:
  • 1x USB 3.0 port
  • 1x USB 2.0 port
  • 1x USB Type-C
• Other Features:
  • 2x Status LEDs
  • RTC battery
  • 1x Fan connector
  • 1x Power button, 1x Recovery button
  • 1x MASK button, 1x Reset button
• Power:
  • 6V – 20V DC (via USB Type-C)
• Mechanical:
  • 8-Layer PCB
  • 62 x 90 x 1.6mm (w/o case)
  • 68 x 94.5 x 30mm (w/ metal case)
  • 68 x 99 x 31mm (w/ LCD case)
  • 52g (w/o case)
  • 252g (w/ metal case)
  • 275g (w LCD case)

Further information

The NanoPi M6 is priced at $70, with the base model including 4GB of RAM. Additional options include 16GB of RAM for $30 more or 32GB for an additional $80. Customers can purchase the board alone or opt for combinations such as the metal case for $20 extra or a metal case with an LCD for $45 more. eMMC storage modules are available separately, with a 32GB module priced at $8 and a 64GB module at $10.

Similar configuration options and prices are also available on Amazon through the Youyeetoo distributor.