4 awesome mini PCs for DIY hacking projects
Starting a DIY electronics project is easier than ever thanks to microcontrollers and mini computing boards.
Whether you’re creating an IoT hub with wireless connectivity, or a remote-controlled robot, mini computing boards allow you to build almost any gadget.
We have listed four mini boards that offer almost limitless possibilities.
Raspberry Pi
The Pi is a great starting point for beginners and is useful for software-based projects, due to its linux-based operating system.
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth coupled with 40 GPIO pins make the Pi 3 Model B a great choice for IoT hub devices.
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Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
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| Processor | ARM Cortex A53 1.2GHz |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR2-900 SDRAM |
| Storage | microSD slot |
| Power | 5V via MicroUSB or GPIO |
| I/O | 1x MicroUSB, 1x HDMI 1.3, 3.5mm TRRS jack, 4x USB 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 85.6 x 56.5 mm |
| Price | R702 (ex VAT) |
Arduino
The Arduino ecosystem includes first and third-party boards which are focused on hardware-based electronics projects.
The Arduino Uno is technically a microcontroller and features relatively basic specifications with no software overhead.
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Arduino Uno Rev 3
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| Processor | ATmega328P microcontroller |
| RAM | 2KB SRAM |
| Storage | 32KB Flash, 1KB EEPROM |
| Power Supply | 5V via DC/USB or I/O pins |
| I/O | USB, DC Input |
| Connectivity | N/A |
| Dimensions | 68.6 x 53.4 mm |
| Price | R238 |
Gigabyte BRIX GB-EKi3A-7100
Gigabyte’s BRIX mini PC is the largest device on this list, and provides desktop-grade power and numerous hardware interfaces.
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Gigabyte BRIX GB-EKi3A-7100
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| Processor | Intel 7th-Gen Core i3 7100U |
| RAM | 2x SO-DIMM DDR4 2,133MHz |
| Storage | 1x M.2 SSD PCIe/SATA |
| Power Supply | DC 19/12V Adapter |
| I/O | 3.5mm audio jack, USB 3.1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, COM (RS232), RJ45, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0 |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Dimensions | 36 x 117 x 180 mm |
| Price | N/A |
Banana Pi
The Banana Pi is a refined version of the Raspberry Pi, and features a different I/O and support for more operating systems.
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BPI-M3
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| Processor | A83T ARM Cortex A7 |
| RAM | 2GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage | 8GB eMMC, microSD |
| Power Supply | 5V DC via microUSB |
| I/O | HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack, 2x USB 2.0, |
| Connectivity | 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 92 x 60 mm |
| Price | R1,487 |
Now read: Five cool gadgets you can build using a Raspberry Pi
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