For the better:
The overall performance is compared to the RPi actually increased significantly, even the use of a surface at once makes fun. In particular, the SATA and Gbit / s Ethernet connections are a real added value, because finally the HDD can be usefully integrated into the home network. In my view, it quite well suited BPI. Contrary to the specification also work hard disks with more than 2 TB, 4 TB, I use a HDD.
From the BPi out to reach data rates of nearly 115 MB / s read and 39 MB / s in writing. Data exchange via the home network using SMB are usually in the 40 MB / s range (both Windows and Linux clients).
If you have brought a specific application up and running, this also runs reliably and stably.
For negatives:
So far, the existing image are all not as far as one would expect from the Raspberry Pi. XBMC example works. Now though, but hardware acceleration is not properly integrated, so 1080p content not be fun. That the device is in principle to be able to prove the MPlayer in conjunction with libvdpau-sunxi.
Much I had to compile itself together in order to make sense to integrate it into my system to me in recent days. As perennial Linux users that were indeed very nice challenges, most of which were completed successfully, but also very time-consuming.
I could therefore imagine that one is overburdened very quickly as a Linux newbie, if something does not work out-of-the-box. However, to say that the device is still in its infancy. Some images are already relatively user-friendly, in particular the current version of Lubuntu for BP i should probably just so much already can.
Whether the community but never reached the size as in the RPI dare I still highly doubt. In particular, the remaining issues with the graphics hardware must necessarily be resolved, if possible with completely open drivers.
Conclusion:
The unit offers considerably more performance at a little higher price compared with a Raspberry Pis. Advanced users are using this unit have a lot of fun and maybe even learn a thing or the other. Beginners I would still rather advise RPI, since quite a bit to work far easier and easier. However, I hold hope that improves in the coming months. Then the BP i would be quite a versatile gadget at an excellent price with a power consumption that does not lead even with 24/7 operation at exorbitant bills.