As we move further into the future, technology is rapidly changing everything around us and creating a world of ease and relaxation as it is now much easier to accomplish tasks and processes that took hours and a lot of effort in just a few minutes. In other words, technology is taking over everything by making devices and gadgets more convenient. For instance, three decades ago when the first single board computer known as Dyna-micro premiered, it only had an 8-bit microprocessor and utilized 256 bytes of EPROM. Thanks to the significant advances in the world of information technology, Single board computers (SBC) are now more efficient making it easy for users to complete various processes faster and conveniently. For instance, whether you want to learn to code, stream media hub or create an application, there is a single computer suited explicitly for that purpose. They come at different sizes and prices; some are tiny and affordable while others are much bigger and surprisingly quite powerful. In respect to that, choosing one can prove to be incredibly tough as you have to wade through tons of low and high-quality ones before you can find one that suits you. Fortunately, you don’t have to strain as we’ve done the legwork for you and here is a compilation of things that you should consider while choosing one to make the process less hectic.
What Is an SBC?
Before we dive into the aspects to consider, it is essential that you become aware of the basics and knowing what an SBC is, is the first step. In layman terms, a SBC can be referred to a small computing device which has all the components built onto a single circuit board. Unlike your laptop which usually has separate elements connected to the central board using cables, an SBC is just like its name suggests, all the main components from the microprocessor to its memory are wired on a single board.
They Have A Host of Advantages as Shown Below
They have a diverse array of applications, from being integrated into surgical equipment, law enforcement vehicle computers, robotic controllers, marine applications and a long string of many other areas. They eliminate the need for circuit boards and driver circuits among many other requirements that a regular computer requires for it to be fully functional thereby making them a cheaper option. They can be easily manufactured and marketed. They are much lighter, have a compact size and consume less power in comparison to multi-board computers. They are a superb alternative to micro-controllers.
Microprocessor
This is the first and foremost factor that you ought to consider. Nowadays, the most common processors in SBC’s include Intel and ARM while others are designed to suit the power requirements or the CPU’S architecture. Like most of the other features, the type of microprocessor that you opt for, often depends on the kind of application you’ll use it for. Therefore, don’t just for a single board computer because it has the latest microprocessor on the block as it might end up not being compatible with your application’s demands.
The Memory
Less memory automatically means less power. That is why it’s vital for you to go for a single board comp that has a higher memory. But again, the memory demands are dictated by the application. A single board designed to carry out robotic functions will have a higher memory than one which is intended for home entertainment. Additionally, with the advancing technology, the memory capacity of an SBC has increased dramatically, and there are now SBC’S that have up to 32 GB.
Other Essential Factors to Have in Mind
– The performance
– Backward pin compatibility
– The operating system
– I/O devices compatibility s
– Form factor
– Power
Bottom Line
We live in an era where info is easily accessible. In respect to that, people wake up and decide to venture into the manufacture of SBC’s and other gadgets making the market crowded with hordes of cheap and low-quality single board comps. However, with the guide above, you don’t have to settle for low quality as you can now make an informed choice.
