PocketBeagle 2 Open Source Hardware Single Board Linux Computer for Makers and Learners
If you are looking for a modern, affordable, open-source single-board computer (SBC) that runs Linux, the PocketBeagle 2 might be your next favorite tool. Whether you are a student, developer, or hobbyist, this compact board delivers a lot of functionality at an incredibly low price around 25 euros or 30 dollars through distributors like Mouser, Digi-Key and Farnell. PocketBeagle 2 has been certified by the Open Source Hardware Association under UID US002717.
Building upon the original PocketBeagle released several years ago, the PocketBeagle 2 keeps the familiar 55 millimeter by 35 millimeter footprint but introduces several significant improvements that make it a serious contender in the budget SBC space.
What is New in PocketBeagle 2?
Designed by BeagleBoard Foundation and manufactured by Seeed Studio in Vietnam, the PocketBeagle 2 arrives neatly packaged in a small plastic box and includes a multilingual quick-start guide to help you get started.
Here is what stands out:
Processor Upgrade: The A1 revision of the PocketBeagle 2 now features a Texas Instruments AM6254 system-on-chip with a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU running up to 1.4 GHz, plus an integrated graphics processing unit. This is a major improvement over the earlier A0 revision, which only had a dual-core CPU and no graphics processing unit.
Memory: 512 megabytes of DDR4 RAM may seem modest, but it is more than adequate for headless Linux projects.
Microcontroller Integration: A dedicated Cortex-M0 Plus microcontroller adds real-time capability, making it suitable for embedded applications.
Modern Connectors: USB Type-C replaces the older micro USB from PocketBeagle.
Boot via microSD: Linux is booted from a microSD card, which provides flexibility with operating system images. Please note there is a footprint for 4GB eMMC flash storage on the printed circuit board but it is not populated.
Pre-soldered Female Headers: Surface-mounted headers are already in place, which makes prototyping faster and easier. The traditional BeagleBoard cape compatibility is maintained.
UART Debug: using the same 1.0mm pitch connector as on Raspberry Pi 5.
Getting Started
To set up your PocketBeagle 2, follow these steps:
Insert the microSD card into the board and connect it to your personal computer via USB Type-C.
Use a USB-to-UART dongle to access the command-line interface through the debug port. For example, Raspberry Pi Debug Probe.
On the first boot, log in via the command line, change the default password, and verify the system specifications and network connectivity.
Use SSH over USB for remote access.
Despite the limited RAM, you can run a lightweight Debian environment that is well-suited for Internet of Things, automation, edge computing, or educational Linux development.
As of the year 2025, PocketBeagle 2 is arguably the most affordable Linux-capable open-source single-board computer available. Unlike many competitors that lock down their hardware or software ecosystems, PocketBeagle 2 continues the BeagleBoard tradition of openness and flexibility. For more details, please watch my video about PocketBeagle 2.
