Nvidia boosts Jetson Orin Nano dev kits ahead of the holidays

• Nvidia has launched the Jetson Orin Nano Super, a compact dev board aimed at developers and hobbyists, priced at $249.
• It features enhanced performance with 67 TOPS at INT8, supporting large language models and robust connectivity options.

What happened: Jetson Orin Nano gets a powerful upgrade

Nvidia has launched the Jetson Orin Nano Super, a compact development board marketed as the “most affordable generative AI supercomputer.” Designed for developers and hobbyists, this new kit features a system on module similar to the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, combined with a reference carrier board for I/O and power. The Orin Nano Super boasts six Arm Cortex-A78AE cores and an Nvidia GPU based on the Ampere architecture, providing 1024 CUDA cores and 32 tensor cores. Priced at $249, it offers improved performance, delivering 67 TOPS at INT8, which outpaces Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm’s latest AI PCs. The board supports robust connectivity options, including gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.2 ports, and can handle large language models like Meta’s Llama 3.1. Additionally, existing Jetson Orin users will benefit from a software update enhancing GenAI performance by 1.7 times.

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Why it’s important

The introduction of the Jetson Orin Nano Super underscores Nvidia’s commitment to making generative AI accessible to a broader audience, particularly developers and hobbyists. As AI continues to permeate various sectors, the demand for affordable and efficient tools is rising. This new dev board not only lowers the entry barrier for those interested in AI but also enhances the performance capabilities compared to its predecessor, making it an attractive option for experimentation and development.

Moreover, with the growing prevalence of large language models (LLMs) in applications such as chatbots and automated content generation, the Jetson Orin Nano Super positions itself as a valuable resource for individuals and small companies aiming to leverage AI technology. The ability to run complex AI models at home can democratise innovation, enabling more people to contribute to advancements in the field.

Nvidia’s ongoing support for Arm-based devices and the broad compatibility of its software suite further solidify the Jetson platform’s relevance in today’s tech landscape. As industries increasingly adopt AI solutions, tools like the Jetson Orin Nano Super will play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology, encouraging creativity and experimentation that could lead to new breakthroughs in AI applications.