So, the Banana Pi is basically a Raspberry Pi only more powerful! ( http://bananapi.com/index.php/component/content/article?layout=edit&id=24 )
It has like a 1GHz dual core CPU and 1GB DDR3 ram, and many more neat things, like SATA, while it only costs about 10€ more than the raspberry pi model B+!

I ordered me one and it arrived today, and I must say, so far I (almost) only had positive experience with it: it runs way quicker stuff, due to the better CPU.
And don't think it would lack GPIOs, in fact, the GPIO headers are the same pins as on the rpi model A or model B

The only downside I experienced with the Banana Pi so far is the power supply - i had it running on 5V 1A and then when plugging in some usb devices it just turned off. After doing some research I found out that, while the manufacturer says 1 Amp is enough for the basic stuff, I heard that 3 Amps should be more stable....now I need to get a new power supply for this thing xD

Anyways, any thoughts?

The banana pi violates at least two EULAs by including Mathematica and Minecraft Pi, both of which say that they may only be run on a Raspberry Pi.

Minecraft Pi license:

*** The real license isn't finished yet, here's what goes in plain english ***


You may execute the minecraft-pi binary on a Raspberry Pi or an emulator
You may use any of the source code included in the distribution for any purpose (except evil)


You may not redistribute any modified binary parts of the distribution

from http://www.wolfram.com/legal/agreements/wolfram-mathematica-raspberry-pi.html

Subject to the terms of this Agreement and Your acceptance thereof, WRI grants You a non-exclusive license to use the Product solely for personal or educational purposes on a Model A or Model B Raspberry Pi computer. You are also authorized to...

http://www.lemaker.org/resources/9-81/raspbian_for_bananapi.html
^^^ that website is linked directly from the banana pi site

^ Pretty much what Eeems said.

How may USB peripherals did you attach? Were they powered or did the Banana Pi have to power them?

One externally powered HDD and then it failed when plugging in a normal usb stick >.<

EDIT: Also, there is raspbian for the banana pi, I use bananian, though.

Quote from: Sorunome on October 10, 2014, 10:08:43 am

Quote from: Eeems on October 09, 2014, 05:54:36 pm

How may USB peripherals did you attach? Were they powered or did the Banana Pi have to power them?

One externally powered HDD and then it failed when plugging in a normal usb stick >.<

EDIT: Also, there is raspbian for the banana pi, I use bananian, though.

Do you think it would be fine handling two externally powered HDDs?

Well, with this 2Amp usb thingy i found lying around it is working just fine currently.