Pine64 recently introduced the Quartz64 Zero, a compact and economical single board computer featuring the Rockchip RK3566T SoC. Designed for both hobbyists and commercial applications, this board offers scalable features and a guaranteed long-term supply.

The Quartz64 Zero is driven by a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A55 CPU that operates at 1.6 GHz, complemented by an embedded 32-bit RISC-V CPU. It comes with 1GB LPDDR4 system memory and offers an optional eMMC module expandable up to 128GB. For additional storage, there is a microSD slot that also supports booting.

Graphics processing is managed by a Mali-G52-2EE GPU, capable of supporting 4K outputs at 60fps and leveraging the open-source Panfrost driver. The board includes a 4Kp60 10-bit HDMI port to facilitate high-resolution video output.

The connectivity suite includes 802.11 B/G/N/AX Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.4. Physical connections on the board consist of a USB 3.0 Host Port, a custom PCIe connector, and a 40-pin GPIO bus that supports I2C, SPI, and UART.

The board requires a 5V 3A power supply, utilizing a type H 3.5mm OD/1.35mm ID barrel-type DC jack. For more technical details, refer to the Quartz64 Wiki pages.

Pine64 has committed to supporting the Quartz64 Zero until at least 2028, assuring long-term availability for various applications. Additionally, Pine64 offers customization options for commercial orders, including variations in DRAM capacity, on-board eMMC, and the addition of an Ethernet port.

Specifications listed for the Quartz64 Zero include:

• Memory/Storage:
  • 1GB LPDDR4 RAM
  • 1x MicroSD card slot
  • Up to 128GB eMMC (optional)
• Display:
  • 1x HDMI port
• Connectivity:
  • 802.11 B/G/N/AX Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • Ethernet port (optional)
• I/O Interfaces:
  • 40x GPIOs
• USB:
  • 1x USB 3.0 Host Port
• Power:
  • 5V/3A DC-in

Further information

As of July 2024, the Quartz64 Zero is still in the early stages of release, with the operating system builds under development. The SBC is priced at $14.99 on Pine64’s official website. In contrast, Ameridroid lists the board for pre-order at $24.95.

(Update 10/3/2024): In their September update, Pine64 announced the official launch of the Quartz64 Zero, stating that all Quartz64 software options should work out-of-the-box and that its PCIe port matches that of the Raspberry Pi 5. The board, designed for commercial projects, is guaranteed to be available until 2028 as an LTS product. It is currently listed at $24.95 on ameriDroid and $15.99 on the Pine64 store.