New uConsole Buyer with Radxa 101?

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I am ready to buy a uConsole and right now (a while ago actually, but I’m trying to make the educated purchase), considering my research, I figured Radxa is what I want as a compute module given:

  1. Availability
  2. Price
  3. Scalability and power (higher RAM models, I don’t consider anything under 16GB RAM to be enough)
  4. The given compatibility with Raspberry Compute Modules that make it an alternative in the first place.

However, I keep stumbling upon things that then I find refuted, and now I don’t know which case is the case, and what is, first, the minimum I need to buy to make things work with Radxa, all the more important considering it wont be a single purchase and, depending on where you buy your parts from, sometimes some could take a long wait to get.

So what’s the bottom line or simple guide for the alternative?

I won’t go through all my discrepancies, but to give you examples: some say the uConsole kits already come with the CM4/5 adapter, some that it doesn’t, do I need to buy it? And is this one the same that works with the Radxa?

What’s with the Software image?

If I buy the cellular data module uConsole, will it work with the Radxa? Is it integrated in the board or is it a separate module? So, is it worth buying this version at all if I want Radxa?

Does eMMC work with SSD PCI storage? I’ve read they are mutually exclusive, but is this the case with the Radxa? Radxa doesn’t have modules with no eMMC.

Will I need to buy external audio compatibility and other externals for this setup?

And would all adaptations outweigh the cost or convenience of simply buying a Raspberry CM5 module?

And what’s with the image software?

If I could only have a straight to the point updated guide that fits in my hand and abstracts all the process of Radxa making it into the uConsole that has already happened and that I don’t need to walkt through again, I will be very grateful.

I’m a software developer but my background is as Open-Source-in-mainstream-PC guy, I understand/am acquainted to the hardware concepts and challenges in portable devices, I just don’t think I know them reliably for this case since I have no experience.

That said, I think this post’s best purpose is to be ideal to make purchasing easy to the rookiest, most clueless enthusiast.

Thank you so much.

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I’m Team Raspberry Pi, unfortunately. And a CM4, at that. But I can try to answer as best as I can, based on information searchable here. I’m also assuming you’re referring exclusively to the non-Lite variants of the Radxa CM5.

Since the Clockwork cores are practically phased out, it’s a guarantee the kit will come with the standard CM4 adapter. The Radxa CM5 will work with the standard adapter, as proven by the existence of an OS image for it. Do be warned of the caveats, though.

Any alternative can claim to be drop-in compatible with a Raspberry Pi. But in the end, at least one reviewer has proven that really is not the case. Heck, even RPi’s own CM5 is not drop-in compatible with a CM4 (Not that they intend to, in the first place.)

If you’re sourcing the CM4 from Clockwork, then yes, you’re in for worse that a world of hurt. But we’re talking about Radxa CM5 here, so what will probably hold you back instead is the cellular expansion. Just make sure you bring your own microSD card. And if you’re buying multiples, best declare it in your order. Or, if you really can’t wait to get your hands on a uConsole, there are vendors in AliExpress willing to sell you one for at least 50% markup. And speaking of the cellular expansion,…

Nobody has tried, to date. If the Radxa CM5 has programs to access the GPIO’s necessary, like the CM4/CM5 do, (which they probably should, since they proudly claim to be compatible) then it should be possible in theory.

There hasn’t been a definitive answer on that, given SSD support has only recently been possible with a community developed board. What is known, however, is that the Radxa CM5 has the sole distinction of retaining access to the microSD slot, despite having onboard eMMC.

Cost? Maybe not that much higher than a CM5. (Running it has minimal issues. Just make sure you buy one with wireless.) But convenience? Well, you’ve hit the nail in the head there.

A Wi-Fi card, a Bluetooth card, a USB audio card, and potentially a USB-A hub, at the minimum, if parity with the CM4 is a goal.

I’m scratching my head why you have to ask the same question twice. Is it an issue with the Debian image? Kernel too outdated? Lacking alternatives?

And I might catch a stroke trying to read this over and over. So a software developer by trade, who is mildly acquainted with open source software? Like, comfortable operating LibreOffice, GIMP, Firefox, and such?

So, there you have it. What you’re really gaining from the Radxa CM5 is the performance boost, relative to the Raspberry Pi Compute Modules. And you’ll have to decide if that is worth losing out on expansion compatibility, wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), and audio support. Feel free to pile on if you have any further questions.

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BTW, please don’t buy one from AliExpress, even though you’d probably get it far faster that way. In addition to costing more, it encourages the scalpers, who make things slower for the rest of us.