Mini-PCs And Single Board Computers: What Are They, And Are They Worth Buying?

Mini-PCs and single-board computers are very small and very quiet. But they also have a lot of pitfalls. Let’s find out whether you should buy such gadgets and what they are best suited for.

Modern computers come in a wide variety of sizes and form factors. But today, we will talk about the most compact of them – mini-PCs and single-board computers. They occupy very little space, are often almost silent, and seem to be made of only advantages. But, as usually happens, everything has disadvantages, and such devices are only suitable for some users.

What Is A Mini-PC?

Mini-PCs are extremely compact computers the size of a small box; some are only slightly larger than an ordinary flash drive. Once, such devices were considered budget machines, used the most energy-efficient hardware, and were virtually silent due to the lack of active cooling.

The point is that the capabilities of any computer depend on its cooling system – the better it is, the more productive “hardware” can be installed in it. But a powerful cooler requires a lot of space and will not fit in a compact case of a mini-PC. That’s why many such computers are limited to an energy-efficient processor, which can be cooled even by a passive radiator.

But nowadays, the choice of mini-PCs is extensive; among them, you can find various models.

Why You Need Them

Mini-PCs can be helpful in many different ways. They can be used instead of a full-fledged desktop computer for watching movies, typing, programming, and web surfing, and thanks to their miniature size, such gadgets can take on the role of a laptop. Of course, you can’t work on the go with such a device, but you can take it with you to the office or a friend’s house, and there you can connect the mini-PC to the monitor and work in your usual environment.

Due to its quiet operation, mini-PCs will perfectly cope with the role of home media or file servers and servers for local control of smart homes. But they won’t fit the role of a gaming “computer.” No, of course, you can play simple games on them, but even if you have a powerful Core i9 processor, the mini-PC will definitely not have a discrete graphics card. And with it, you will be able to play something serious. For the same reason, they will not be suitable for working with “heavy” graphics.

A Single Board Computer: Usage Spheres

This type of computer is assembled on a single board, with a complete set of modules necessary for full functioning: processor, RAM, video processor, network interfaces, and I/O system. It is trendy among users.

Single-board computers are widely used in:

• Educational process (teaching informatics, programming)
• Robotics
• Program control of electronics
• Can be used as a compact desktop personal computer for general purpose
• Can be used as a sound subsystem, as a home media and television center
• In video surveillance systems
• As an energy-efficient desktop

This site provides a range of robust, low-power, high-performance single board computers.

 

Pros And Cons Of A Single-Board Computer

A single-board computer’s undeniable advantages include its low power consumption and compact size. In addition, the single-board computer has a low price and decent performance.

The disadvantages can be attributed to the narrow specialization of the device (although recently single-board computers in every possible way refute this statement) and the presence of difficulties in expanding the capabilities of the computer, namely the change of the processor or memory is difficult, as most often these components are soldered on the board.

Single-board mini-computers definitely make our lives much more accessible; in this regard, it is worthwhile to approach their choice consciously. In this section, you can find single-board computers of different functionality, complexity, and cost.