| When we talk of computers, topics usually range | | | | single board computers. |
| from desktops, laptops and notebooks. | | | | Many new home electronic products, especially |
| Sometimes, our ideas and discussions about | | | | those that are designed to communicate with a |
| computers seem to go on forever. However, we | | | | computer or other electronic products, make use |
| seldom hear talk about single board computers. | | | | of embedded single board computers. Despite this |
| We may not be familiar with the term, though | | | | emerging trend in home electronics, single board |
| many of us have used single board computer at | | | | computers fail to fully dominate the computer |
| one time or another. | | | | world because of some disadvantages. |
| A single board computer is a complete computer | | | | However, single board computers do have |
| that stands on a single circuit board. It is a circuit | | | | advantages over other types of computers. With |
| board that contains all the components to make a | | | | all the components built on a single board, the |
| complete computer, such as the processor, | | | | manufacturing cost of single board computers is |
| memory (RAM), I/O, processor clock and audio | | | | less compared to multiboard computers. The |
| and video interfaces. Single board computers may | | | | single board design makes it more reliable because |
| be used as stand-alone units, embedded units or | | | | the need for problematic connectors is eliminated. |
| backplane units. | | | | With new technologies, the capabilities of single |
| Today, single board computers have found wide | | | | board computers can further be improved, while |
| use in industrial processes. These small-form | | | | its size is further reduced. |
| factor computers are often used in industrial | | | | On the downside, single board computers are less |
| machines in a rack-mount format that performs | | | | flexible than other types of computers. With all |
| complex processes. | | | | the components soldered in a single board, there |
| Single board computers can also be found in other | | | | is no way the computer can be upgraded |
| applications. Cell phones, fax machines, scanners | | | | whenever new developments appear on the |
| and other electronic products that make use of | | | | market. Simply said, the technological capabilities |
| computer technology are equipped with | | | | of single board computers are fixed, and they |
| embedded single board computers. Notebook | | | | have no ability to take advantage of new |
| computers, especially the older ones, are basically | | | | technological developments. |