Raspberry Pi just got some serious competition

Makers and DIY-ers now have a shiny new computer to build things from.

Asus just launched the Tinker Board, its own version of a single-board computer -- a form factor popularized largely by Raspberry Pi. Engineers and educators use these "credit-card-sized computers" to create everything from LEGO robots to modified vintage Macs.

The Tinker Board measures 3.4 x 2.1 inches, almost the same size as Raspberry Pi. But it has superior specs: Tinker includes 2GB of RAM, twice as much as the Pi. It also has Gigabit-speed Ethernet, while the Pi maxes out at 100 megabits per second.

SEE ALSO: Raspberry Pi announces new, more powerful Compute Module for $30

It doesn't stop there: The Tinker Board’s impressive quad-core processor can play 4K video and 24-bit audio, perfect for those building a PC-driven home theater. The Tinker Board also features built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, four USB ports, a 3.5mm audio jack (not dead yet!), an HDMI port and a Micro SD card slot.

While the Tinker Board is more expensive than the Pi products at about $69, it also boasts a sufficiently large value proposition. The Pi is can be a better choice for specific projects and educational use, and at only $5-$30 it's the better value. Raspberry Pi also has years of community support in the form of forums, blogs and DIY project guides. However, the Asus Tinker Board is similar enough in size and format that some of the projects will carry over.

The Tinker Board is currently available for preorder in the UK and Europe; no plans for a U.S. launch as yet. Asus expects to ship it in February.