What is the LattePanda 3 Delta SBC?
The DFRobot LattePanda 3 Delta is an SBC that’s based on Intel’s Celeron N5105 processor. It delivers x86 performance with a footprint that fits in the palm of your hand. In other words, it’s a full-fledged computer.
Unlike ARM-based boards, this single board computer with Windows support lets you run standard desktop applications, making it a compelling choice for those who need a familiar, powerful environment outside of a traditional tower PC.
With a metal enclosure, onboard wired and wireless connectivity, and an array of ports, the LattePanda 3 Delta is as serious about real-world computing as it is about hacking, making, and experimenting.
The packaging is unassuming, compact. There’s no extravagant branding or gimmicky accessories. Open it, and the main board sits securely, protected by anti-static shielding.
Suppose you’re used to Raspberry Pi’s minimalist vibe. In that case, you might be surprised at how dense this little board feels, with a metal enclosure, prominent processors, and a generous collection of ports and connectors. You can tell, even before powering it on, that this was designed for developers and makers who need real computing, not just hobbyist tinkering.
Key Features
When you crack open the box, the DFRobot LattePanda 3 Delta makes a good first impression. It feels robust, well-engineered, and ready for work. This SBC board is as close as you’ll get to a desktop-replacement-in-a-briefcase.
The LattePanda 3 Delta is based on Intel’s Celeron N5105, a 2.0 GHz quad-core chip with Intel UHD Graphics, which is sufficient for daily computing, as well as running machine learning models or playing back 4K video. Integrated Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and a microSD card slot mean this board can realistically replace your desktop for many tasks. The built-in accelerometer is a thoughtful touch for robotics and IoT.
Here’s some more of its features:
- The board supports Windows 11 on SBC installations as well as your favourite Linux distribution without any complicated setup procedures.
- The Intel Celeron N5105 processor delivers four cores with turbo boost capabilities up to 2.9 GHz for serious computing power.
- The system includes up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring you never have to compromise on multitasking performance.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity provide high-speed wireless networking for modern applications.
- Dual M.2 slots allow for both SSD storage and an extra slot for NVMe drives or AI acceleration modules.
- The development board includes full GPIO and Arduino support, making it maker-friendly for robotics and IoT projects.
Specifications
For those who want to know what’s under the hood and want info about the actual technical specification, here’s a quick rundown of what’s inside the LattePanda 3 Delta SBC:
Processor & Graphics
- CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 (4C/4T, 2.0 – 2.9 GHz)
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics (24 EU, up to 850 MHz)
Memory & Storage
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4 (soldered, upgradable to 16GB)
- Storage: M.2 PCIe (NVMe/SATA) + M.2 E-key (Wi-Fi/Cellular/HW Accelerator)
- Expandable: microSD card slot
Connectivity
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax), Bluetooth 5.2
- Wired: Gigabit Ethernet
Ports & I/O
- USB: 3.2 Gen 2, USB 2.0, USB-C
- Display: HDMI 2.0b (4K@60Hz)
- Expansion: 20-pin GPIO header (Arduino Leonardo compatible)
Additional Features
- Built-in accelerometer for motion sensing
- Metal enclosure for passive cooling
- OS Support: Windows 10/11, Linux distributions
- Power Consumption: ~10-15W typical use
Dimensions & Weight
- Size: 125mm × 78mm × 16mm
- Weight: Approximately 210g
Performance Overview
With an x86 processor and a generous amount of RAM, the LattePanda 3 Delta handles typical desktop tasks—web browsing, document editing, even light photo editing—without breaking a sweat.
You can push multiple displays, and if you plug in an SSD, it boots fast and stays responsive. For coding, robotics, and even some machine learning workloads, it's a viable alternative to a traditional desktop.
But let's dig deeper into what this actually means in practice. The Intel Celeron N5105's four cores, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, deliver surprisingly smooth multitasking. Opening a dozen Chrome tabs, running Visual Studio Code, and streaming music in the background?
No problem at all. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics aren't going to handle AAA gaming, but they're more than capable of pushing dual 1080p displays or even a single 4K monitor for productivity work.
For development work, the LattePanda 3 Delta feels responsive when compiling code, running local servers, or testing web applications. Python scripts execute quickly, and Node.js development environments run smoothly.
The dual M.2 slots become particularly valuable here—you can dedicate one slot to a fast NVMe SSD for your OS and applications, while using the second for project storage or even an AI accelerator module.
Media consumption is where the board really shines for its size. 4K video playback through browsers or media players is smooth, and the Wi-Fi 6 connectivity means streaming high-bitrate content isn't a bottleneck.
The HDMI 2.0b output handles 4K at 60Hz without issues, making this a solid choice for a compact media center or digital signage setup.
LattePanda 3 Delta vs Raspberry Pi 5
If you’re coming from the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, you’re used to the versatility of ARM-based boards. The Raspberry Pi 5 is a fantastic device for Linux-based projects, but it still can’t run standard x86 Windows applications.
The DFRobot LattePanda 3 Delta, on the other hand, offers a full Windows 11 or Linux desktop experience out of the box.
Performance-wise, the Intel Celeron N5105 in the LattePanda 3 Delta outpaces the Raspberry Pi 5 in CPU-heavy tasks, though the Pi 5 is still quite capable for its price and ARM-optimized workloads.
Where the LattePanda shines is in software compatibility and expansion. If your project needs standard desktop software, or if you want to experiment with Windows-based robotics apps, this is the board to get.
Setup and OS Installation Guide
Setting up the LattePanda 3 Delta is as simple as it gets for an x86 SBC. You'll need a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and a USB drive.
What You'll Need Before Starting
- 8GB+ USB flash drive (USB 3.0 recommended for faster installation)
- Keyboard and mouse (USB or wireless)
- Monitor with HDMI input
- Stable internet connection for driver downloads
- Power adapter (included with the board)
Now, let’s move on to the Step-by-Step Installation Process
- Download your preferred OS - Windows 10/11 from Microsoft's official website, or grab a Linux ISO like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian. The LattePanda 3 Delta SBC handles most mainstream distributions without issues.
- Create installation media - Use tools like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (cross-platform) to flash the OS image to your USB drive. Make sure to select the correct drive to avoid accidentally wiping important data.
- Connect peripherals - Plug in your keyboard, mouse, and monitor via HDMI. The board's multiple USB ports give you flexibility for different setups.
- Boot from USB - Insert the USB drive, power on the board, and press F7 during startup to access the boot menu. Select your USB drive from the list.
- Follow the installer - The installation process mirrors setting up any desktop PC. For Windows, you'll go through the standard setup wizard. For Linux distributions, most offer guided installation with automatic partitioning.
- Initial setup and drivers - Once installed, connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Windows will automatically download most drivers, but you may need to grab specific drivers from DFRobot's support page for optimal performance.
OS-Specific Considerations
For a Windows 11 on SBC experience, ensure your installation media includes the latest updates. The board's TPM 2.0 support means Windows 11 installs without the usual compatibility workarounds needed on older hardware.
When installing Linux on LattePanda, Ubuntu and Fedora typically work out of the box with full hardware recognition. The GPIO pins and Arduino Leonardo compatibility require additional setup depending on your chosen distribution, but most hardware enthusiasts will find the process straightforward.
The entire process typically takes 30-60 minutes, depending on your OS choice and internet speed. Once complete, you'll have a fully functional pocket-sized PC ready for whatever projects you have in mind.
Connectivity and Expansion Options
The beauty of the LattePanda 3 Delta is its I/O flexibility. It's genuinely one of the most well-connected SBCs you'll find in this form factor.
Storage and Memory Expansion
The dual M.2 slots are where this board really shows its versatility. The primary M.2 2280 slot handles your main storage—whether that's a blazing-fast NVMe SSD for your operating system and applications, or a more budget-friendly SATA SSD. The secondary M.2 E-key slot opens up a world of possibilities beyond just storage.
You can install Wi-Fi 6E cards for even faster wireless speeds, add cellular modems for always-on internet connectivity, or drop in specialized AI acceleration cards like Intel's Neural Compute Stick for edge computing applications.
The microSD card slot provides additional storage flexibility, perfect for portable projects or as a backup storage solution. Combined with the multiple USB ports, you're never short on storage expansion options.
Display and Visual Output
The HDMI 2.0b port delivers crisp 4K output at 60Hz, making this suitable for everything from digital signage to home theatre applications.
The USB-C port supports Display Port Alt Mode, giving you dual-display capabilities without needing additional adapters. Whether you're setting up a multi-monitor development workstation or creating a compact media centre, the display options are surprisingly robust for such a small board.
Networking Excellence
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity means you're getting the latest wireless standard with improved efficiency and speed, particularly valuable in crowded network environments.
The Bluetooth 5.2 support handles everything from wireless peripherals to IoT device communication with improved range and lower power consumption compared to older Bluetooth versions.
The Gigabit Ethernet port ensures reliable wired connectivity for applications where wireless isn't suitable—think industrial automation, network-attached storage, or any scenario where consistent low-latency networking is crucial.
USB Connectivity and Peripherals
The mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 2.0 ports provides both high-speed data transfer and backwards compatibility. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 port delivers up to 10 Gbps transfer speeds, perfect for external SSDs or high-resolution webcams.
The USB 2.0 ports handle keyboards, mice, and other peripherals that don't need blazing speeds but benefit from the universal compatibility.
So, you can see that the LattePanda board essentially eliminates the usual trade-offs between computing power and expansion flexibility. Whether you're building a compact workstation, an edge AI device, or a sophisticated robotics platform, the connectivity options ensure you won't hit limitations that force you to compromise on your project's scope or performance.
Conclusion
The LattePanda 3 Delta pushes the boundaries of what a single-board computer can be, almost literally, a full desktop that fits in your pocket.
But it’s not trying to be a magic bullet, and it doesn’t replace a gaming PC or high-end workstation. Instead, it’s a practical, flexible, and surprisingly capable platform for developers, educators, and makers who need real computing power in a small, portable package.
If you’re tired of the limitations of ARM-based boards and want a familiar Windows or Linux environment that you can literally carry with you, this is among the most serious options available today.
If you’re impressed by the LattePanda 3 Delta SBC and ready to get your hands on one of these, then you can find this powerful pocket computer at RoboCraze, where you'll get authentic hardware, competitive pricing, and reliable support for your next project.
Whether you're building your first robotics prototype or upgrading your development setup, RoboCraze has you covered with fast shipping and expert customer service. Don't let hardware limitations hold back your creativity. Head over to RoboCraze and start building something amazing today.
