It’s a Tiny Single Board Computer or you can call it as Mini Computer a credit card-sized device that’s basically an entire PC. This tiny single board computer houses everything except keyboard, mouse and monitor. This mini computer can be used for small computing task. The basic use of the mini computer is for educational purpose, it is also being used by hardware enthusiasts, teachers, hobbyist, professors, universities, etc. Since it is a tiny computer with high processing power, people around the world try out some crazy things with it. It can be used to make robots, automation, media centre, web server, drones, phones and many other interesting projects.
HARDWARE
There are various types of hardware depends on the board’s manufacturers. Mostly, the mini computer is based on ARM architecture ( processors that are designed to perform a smaller number of types of computer instructions so that they can operate at a higher speed, performing more millions of instructions per second (MIPS) } and uses fanless CPU. The processor is fused on the board itself, making it difficult to replace like the ordinary desktop PC. and has all the necessary ports such as ethernet cable, HDMI, audio jack, USB ports, etc.
SOFTWARE
These Single board computers required an operating system in order to get it started for development or use as the workstation. The ARM-based single board computers have specific bootloader firmware which performs basic hardware initialization tasks and allow boards to boot an operating system from different storage media. The Operating System can be installed on a built-in flash storage Computer redit ard size or an external memory card which can be inserted into the Single Board computer.
MOST POPULAR SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER
Intel Compute card
Intel® Compute Card is just slightly longer than a credit card, but it’s ready to power anything from entry-level to full featured devices. The modularity and flexibility of this computer on a card allows compute integration via card slot into devices like digital signage, kiosks, smart TVs, appliances and more.
Products- Intel® Compute Card CD1C64GKIntel® Compute Card CD1M3128MK Intel® Compute Card CD1P64GK Intel® Compute Card CD1P64GK
Raspberry Pi
In a Single board computer category, Raspberry pi is one of the most popular credit card sized mini computer.
Products- RASPBERRY PI 3 MODEL B
RASPBERRY PI 2 MODEL B
RASPBERRY PI 1 MODEL B+
RASPBERRY PI ZERO
Banana pi.
The Banana Pi is an open-source hardware and software platform developed in China by the Banana Pi team, with the intention of promoting STEM(science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education in schools and universities.
Orange pi
Orange Pi is a brand of single board computers made for embedded enthusiasts.