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          Single Board Computers (SBC)

          Thursday, June 6, 2024

          What to Look for When Choosing Your Next Single Board Computer in 2024

          The most important part of this equation is the project you need an SBC for. You’ve got to write down your needs and specs, such as the performance level you're after and the amount of memory you think you’ll need, whether you need a GPIO (general purpose input output) or not, the speed and type of networking you’ll use, whether you want something that can host NVMe SSDs, to decide between the type of OS you plan on using, and more.

          Once you write it all down, it’s time for some window shopping and combing through reviews. SBCs vary drastically concerning their computing power, for example. You’ve got budget offerings that cost just a couple of dozens of bucks, powered by low-power and low-tier ARM CPUs, mid-range offerings with newer ARM Cortex-A76 designs, as well as high-end solutions with potent—compared to their ARM-powered counterparts—x86 CPUs that can replace a desktop PC.

          Another thing to focus on includes additional expenses. You might need to buy a power supply for your SBC, a heatsink or an active fan for better thermal dissipation, maybe buy or print a case if you need one, a Wi-Fi card or a Wi-Fi adapter if you plan on using a wireless connection because a lot of models that support Wi-Fi come with empty Wi-Fi M.2 slots, and other project-specific stuff.

          This is why I recommend clearly stating your goals, needs, and a ballpark estimate of the computing power and extra features you need before looking for a suitable SBC.

          Last but not least, depending on the type of project you need an SBC for, you might be better off getting a Mini PC, an old NUC, or a used SFF (small form factor) office PC instead, especially if you don’t need GPIO. For example, if you plan to turn your home smart and need something to run Home Assistant on, a tiny office workstation beats most SBCs regarding the price-to-performance ratio. Similarly, if you need something for retro gaming, check out the retro handheld market that has several super-affordable devices that work out-of-the-box and come with video outputs, meaning you can hook them to a TV or monitor.

          Best SBC Overall: Orange Pi 5 Plus
          Best Budget SBC: Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC (Le Potato)
          Best SBC with Windows: LattePanda Mu
          Best SBC with Linux: Orange Pi 5
          Best Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi 5 Single Board Computer
           

          Source https://www.howtogeek.com/best-single-board-computers/

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