Single-board computer [/ˈsingle-board kəmˈpjutər/] n - A single-board computer is precisely what the name declares: a complete computer with processor, memory, storage, and I/O upon one board. The category spans the Raspberry Pi at the low end, industrial ARM boards in the middle, and x86 embedded PCs that can run standard server software.

Of Choosing

• For learning and prototypes [/ˈfɒr ˈlɪːrnɪng ˈænd ˈprɒtɒtipɛs/] n, a Raspberry Pi is hard to beat. It has the community, the software, and the price.
• For real-time, low-power tasks [/ˈfɒr ˈrɪːltɪmɛ ˈlɒwpɒwɛr ˈtæsks/] n, an Arduino or other microcontroller is simpler and more deterministic.
• For industrial deployment [/ˈfɒr ˈɪndʌstrɪæl ˈdɛplɒimɛnt/] n, seek boards with eMMC storage, wide-range power supplies, DIN-rail mounts, and proper serial ports. The added cost buys reliability and support.
• For x86 software [/ˈfɒr ˈx86 ˈsɒftwærɛ/] n, a NUC-class or thin-client embedded PC runs the same binaries as your servers, which can simplify maintenance and security.

What They Hold in Common

• GPIO or expansion headers. [/ˈgpɪɒ ˈɒr ˈɛxpænsɪɒn ˈhɪːdɛrs/] n Even industrial boards expose pins for sensors, relays, or custom interfaces.
• Low power. [/ˈlɒw ˈpɒwɛr/] n Most draw watts, not hundreds of watts, so they may dwell inside a rack or an enclosure without adding much heat.
• Standard software. [/ˈstændærd ˈsɒftwærɛ/] n Linux runs upon nearly all of them. Some industrial boards support Windows or real-time operating systems.

In These Pages

See Bespoke Devices for the Datacenter for why these boards matter in operations, and On the Making of Bespoke Devices for the manner of choosing and deploying one. The two commonest examples are Raspberry Pi and Arduino.