SBC stands for Small Board Computer. Although there is nothing "small" about this mini pc. In addition to featuring the Ryzen 7 7840HS processor with Radeon 780M integrated graphics, the device is equipped with three M.2 slots.

Although the AMD 7000 series mobile processors are a few generations old, they still deliver sufficient processing power for all but the most demanding tasks. The Phoenix 7040 series was particularly praised at its launch for its impressive balance of CPU and integrated GPU capabilities. This compact single-board computer (SBC), despite being encased in a substantial black shroud, presents an appealing option for PC enthusiasts, tinkerers, and DIYers.

As mentioned in the introduction, the Next-SBC boasts a well-rounded feature set. In addition to the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), the system will support up to 32GB of onboard LPDDR5X-6400 memory and three M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD slots. Potential buyers must ensure they select the appropriate memory configuration, as the memory is soldered and not upgradeable; however, the storage capabilities of the device are exceptional. The accessible slots offer a wide range of storage and M.2 peripheral possibilities.

The specifications of the Next-SBC include a commendable range of I/O options. Users can expect a variety of USB Type-A and Type-C ports, including support for USB4. Additionally, the device features dual HDMI 2.1 ports and dual 2.5G Ethernet ports. Due to the limited information available, it remains unclear whether one of the M.2 slots will be required to add Wi-Fi/Bluetooth functionality.

TechTuber ETA Prime showcased a prototype of the Next-SBC this past weekend, where he tested the device in several popular games and benchmarks.

For those intrigued by the unexpected release of the Next-SBC, some Reddit users speculated that this SBC may be a repurposing of the motherboard from the AooStar GEM10 7840HS mini PC. AooStar is mainly recognized for its compact NAS solutions, mini PCs, and external GPUs. It is likely that the forthcoming Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign will be launched under this brand.

The Next-SBC is set to launch on Indiegogo soon, with pricing anticipated to start at approximately $329. We will notify you once available and hope to receive a unit in eSIM Studios for testing.