Raspberry Pi vs Custom SBC: Why It’s Time to Switch to a Smarter Display + Embedded Solution

Why Raspberry Pi Is a Popular Choice

Raspberry Pi vs Custom SBC has become a critical comparison for engineers transitioning from prototyping to mass production. The Raspberry Pi has earned its reputation as the default starting point for developers and engineers worldwide. Its affordability, availability, and a vast open-source ecosystem make it incredibly attractive for DIY enthusiasts and professional prototyping alike. With built-in HDMI, USB, and GPIO interfaces, the Raspberry Pi supports a wide range of peripherals right out of the box. Additionally, a large user community and rich documentation make it easy to get started and troubleshoot issues.

Common Pain Points of Raspberry Pi + HDMI Display Solutions

💡 HDMI displays require external AD boards
Most TFT displays used with Raspberry Pi require an HDMI-to-RGB/LVDS adapter board. This adds cost, increases wiring complexity, and makes the product harder to assemble and miniaturize.

🧩 Touch driver compatibility is unreliable
USB-connected capacitive touch panels often require manual driver installation. With OS updates or kernel changes, compatibility can break, causing UI issues or requiring developer intervention.

⚙️ Mechanical mismatch with enclosures
Generic HDMI displays usually have a fixed cover lens thickness and frame that doesn’t fit your custom enclosure — leading to costly mechanical redesigns or poor sealing.

🧱 Lack of long-term supply and customization
Commercially available Raspberry Pi displays often go EOL unexpectedly, and lack support for industrial-grade customization like anti-UV coatings, IP rating, or high-brightness performance.

A Better Alternative: Rocktech’s SBC + Display Integration Platform

At Rocktech, we offer a robust solution designed for embedded products:

Rocktech Embedded SBCs + Industrial TFT Displays

These embedded platforms are built on Rockchip SoCs (e.g., PX30, RK3566，Rk3288) and paired with our in-house TFT + PCAP touch displays. This creates a fully integrated and production-ready hardware platform.

Advantages over Raspberry Pi:

A side-by-side diagram comparing a Raspberry Pi + HDMI AD board + TFT connection versus Rocktech’s SBC directly interfaced to a TFT + PCAP display

What We Offer: Customization & Engineering Support

🖥️ Display Customization

• 2.1″–15.6″ TFT IPS options
• High brightness up to 1000 nits
• Optical bonding, anti-UV, AG/AF coating
• Cover lens shape, thickness, and logo printing
• Water-resistant structures (IP65 optional)

🔧 Board-Level Customization

• Compact SBC form factor
• Power rail adjustments (5V/12V/24V)
• Camera, audio, and UART/RS485 support
• Preloaded firmware, secure boot, RTC
• OS support: Linux (Yocto/Debian/Ubuntu), Android,

🛠️ From Sample to Production

• • • Quick prototype kits

• BSP support and documentation
• Mass production with long-term availability

Raspberry Pi vs Custom SBC

How We Build Your Custom Embedded SBC

Building a custom embedded SBC solution that integrates seamlessly with your display begins with a clear understanding of your system requirements. Here’s how we work with you step-by-step:

🔍 1. Requirements Collection
We gather technical specs such as screen size, resolution, brightness, touch interface, I/O needs, power constraints, operating temperature, and enclosure compatibility.

🧩 2. Product Matching & Feasibility Assessment
Our engineering team matches your requirements with existing modules or proposes a new configuration. We verify interface compatibility (LVDS, RGB, MIPI), touch controller options (I²C/USB), and housing fit.

🛠️ 3. Customization & Sample Preparation
We customize the display (cover lens, shape, coating), SBC (connectors, power input, layout), and firmware. Within 2–4 weeks, we deliver working engineering samples.

📦 4. Validation & Iteration
You test the sample in your system. If mechanical or functional refinements are needed, we provide revised versions or supporting documentation to assist your integration.

🏭 5. Mass Production Planning
After design freeze, we proceed to pilot production. We confirm packaging, labeling, QC process, and shipping requirements. Long-term supply and lifecycle support plans are also defined.

📘 6. Documentation & After-Sales Support
We provide BSPs, schematics, 2D/3D drawings, touch drivers, and reliability testing reports to support regulatory or QA processes.

Let Rocktech be your hardware design partner from concept to market.

Real-World Applications

Rocktech’s embedded SBC + display solutions have been successfully deployed across various industries where reliability, customization, and performance matter most:

🏭 Industrial Automation
Used in HMI terminals, control panels, and monitoring systems, our displays offer wide temperature support, IP-rated touch panels, and long-term supply — ideal for factory environments.

🚗 EV Chargers & Energy Systems
From outdoor EV charging stations to solar inverter displays, our high-brightness, anti-UV bonded solutions ensure readability and durability in harsh weather.

🏨 Smart Access & Building Controls
Touch panels embedded into access control systems, elevators, and smart intercoms — integrated with face recognition or RFID — enable sleek and responsive user interfaces.

🧪 Medical Equipment
Reliable, high-resolution displays in diagnostic devices, handheld analyzers, and portable monitors where long lifecycle, stability, and EMC compliance are critical.

☕ Smart Vending & Coffee Machines

Touchscreen-based Rocktech display applications in industrial automation and medical monitoring.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re replacing your Raspberry Pi setup or starting a new embedded project, we’re here to help you choose the right display and computing platform. We specialize in helping product teams reduce risk, shorten development time, and achieve a clean, production-ready design.

📩 Contact us today to request a free consultation, get a sample kit, or explore custom display + SBC solutions tailored to your application.

Raspberry Pi is perfect for prototyping — but when you need reliable, compact, and scalable hardware for your final product, Rocktech’s embedded board + display integration is the better choice.

➡️ Contact us to request a sample kit or schedule a project discussion.