RPi like device but with good WiFi

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi folks

Is there an open-source type device out there, like the Raspberry Pi, and in the same price category, but with a good WiFi implementation (i.e. external antennas). I've been looking at the Banana Pi offerings they seem like great hardware but it seems there is no official OpenWRT support for the newer models (RPI 3 Mini, Wifi 6 Mini for example).

I'm trying to deploy an all-in-one WiFi AP VPN tunnel device and finding my options quite limited. Anything x86 you run into problems with the WiFi cards and drivers, RPi has poor wifi, BPi poor OpenWRT support... any tips where to look?

Should support WiFi5 (AC), external antennas, mainstream OpenWRT support and cost under $30. Is this a pipe-dream? Lots of things come close but none are quite there....

This is the best I can find: https://docs.banana-pi.org/en/BPI-WiFi6_Mini/BananaPi_BPI-WiFi6_Mini but it only supports OpenWRT via a custom fork, which is already out of date.

2

Xiaomi ax3000t is around 35-40$ on aliexpress but the initial flash of newer models is quite complex.
Check-out the wiki see if you think you can handle the procedure https://openwrt.org/inbox/toh/xiaomi/ax3000t and OpenWrt support for Xiaomi AX3000T - #420 by alexq

3

There is, but only for some models and snapshot builds. Example (BPI R3 Mini):

https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=SNAPSHOT&target=mediatek%2Ffilogic&id=bananapi_bpi-r3-mini

It will be supported by the next release. The BPI-WiFi6 Mini can't be supported because of its Triductor SoC.

4

I'm sure it will be supported

5

Interesting new addition NanoPC-T6

6

! Do note these other requirements - especially the price point !

7

I can handle that, good recommendation. Thanks.

P.S. the price seems to have dropped recently, picked one up for $33 including shipping. Might have been a special offer though.

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8

If so please mark it as solved as it would help others. Thanks

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