Best Single Board Computers 2016: The Tech Giving Raspberry Pi a Run for Its Money
When the first Raspberry Pi was released in 2012, it completely changed everything we knew about computing. Personal computers were once seen as an expensive piece of technology, however, the Raspberry Pi completely changed that. Available for less than $30, the original Raspberry Pi was a completely revolutionary piece of tech.
Since that original release, Raspberry Pi have continued to develop on their range by introducing a series of new models at even lower price points. However, Raspberry Pi aren't the only name on the scene when it comes to single board computers. There's now a wealth of alternative pieces of tech that promise to do a similar job to that of Raspberry Pi. With that in mind, this article will look at the best single board computers you can buy in 2016.
BeagleBone Black
Amongst the biggest complaints of first time Raspberry Pi users was how long the device took to get up and running. If you're looking for a product that you can start using for development or just tinkering around with in less than 5 minutes, you'll definitely find it in the BeagleBone Black, available for a competitive price of $30.
Granted, the BeagleBone Black isn't the most powerful single board computer that you'll find, but it's definitely a great starting point for those with little technical knowledge.
In fact, many have praised the BeagleBone Black as a fantastic option for those looking to make their own handheld gaming console. That's largely helped by the on-board 3D graphics accelerator and mini-HDMI port, proving that this was a piece of kit designed for gaming. When you consider how much a handheld games console from Nintendo or Sony will set you back, the BeagleBone Black is definitely a no-brainer.
pcDuino4 Set-Top Box
Single board computers are most commonly used as a cheap streaming device that can be plugged into your PC and pull content from a variety of sources. The pcDuino4 Set-Top Box is a single board computer that's designed with the sole purpose of using software like Kodi to stream your media content to your TV. With that in mind, you'd imagine that this cheap bit of kit is a small board without much in the way of technical performance.
That being said, it does have everything you'd expect out of a modern set-top box, including a WiFi module, with both HD and 4K output ports. In fact, the device even has a built in IR receiver, which is perfect if you're planning on using a remote with your little PC.
For less than $25, the pcDuino4 Set-Top Box definitely makes sense if you're looking for a single board computer that's perfect for streaming your media content. That being said, those looking to use this nifty little PC for anything outside of media streaming might find the specs slightly limiting. With that in mind, it's worth considering some of the more flexible options we've included as part of this list.
Cubieboard 4
When it comes to single board computers, the perception is that these pieces of tech have to be cheap with relatively low specifications. However, there's also a market for slightly higher powered single board computers and the Cubieboard 4 is designed to cater for that market. It comes in with a pretty high price tag at $144, however, for that price, you're going to be getting your hands on some pretty beefed up specs, including a 2 GHZ eight-core processor and 2 GB of attached RAM.
Plus, one of the best things about this bit of kit is that you're not going to need to invest in an external storage peripheral to actually keep the OS and your files on. That's because the Cubieboard 4 has 64GB of on-board storage. For those looking for a single board computer that offers a little punch than other alternatives, you'll definitely find what you're looking for in the Cubieboard 4, but be prepared to pay for it.
In conclusion, there's no denying that the Raspberry Pi is a fantastic option when it comes to single board computers. However, there's also plenty of great alternatives out there and they all offer their own perks.
Believe it or not, it's also possible to design your own tech similar to the Raspberry Pi and it's easier than ever. There's plenty of PCB design software out there that allows for the easy design and construction of such technology. One of the best is Altium Designer. It's a piece of software designed with newcomers in mind and if you're looking to create something a little more bespoke than the technology we've featured here; you'll find it useful.
In all though, if you're in the market for a single board computer, it's definitely worth your time to shop around or consider designing your own.
