Back in late 2014, Imagination Technologies, an Apple GPU supplier, announced the release of its own MIPS-based, single-board computer to compete with the so-loved ARM-based Raspberry Pi. The MIPS Creator CI20 came with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM (twice the amount in the Raspberry Pi B+), and 4GB of on board storage (Geek). Not only is the Creator ready to finally ship to customers, but some upgrades have been made.

Of the two major changes, one involving additional storage, and the other a cool purple coat, I bet you can guess which is more exciting for developers and hobbyists. Not only does the Raspberry Pi rely on an SD slot for storage and the MIPS Creator doesn't, the new version also contains 8GB of storage, twice the amount originally planned. Designed specifically for developers, the MIPS Creator comes with wireless connectivity and Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, as well as connectors like GPIO, UART, I2C, and ADC. It features a dual-core 1.2 GHz Ingenic JZ4780 MIPS32-based processor with PowerVR SGX540 graphics, and 1 GB of RAM (Geeky Gadgets).

The MIPS Creator CI20 runs Debian 7 Linux right out of the box, with the option to use any other Linux OS or Android KitKat, if you prefer. It runs for $65, a good $30 more than the Raspberry Pi. The question is, does it have enough extra capabilities to make up for it? What good does a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU do for some simple DIY projects? According to Extreme Tech, who believes this board doesn't have a “clear target market”, using a more competitive price to match the Pi would've been more enticing to consumers. The only way to tell if the MIPS Creator has a calling is if folks find a reason to buy it over the highly popular Pi.