# Single-Board Computers

The [Raspberry Pi](https://raspberrypi.com) – who popularized this style of computer – currently sell three versions of their board: [3B+](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-plus/), [4](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/), and[ 5](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/). Other options include: similar vendors such as [Banana Pi](https://www.banana-pi.org/web/), [Orange Pi](http://www.orangepi.org/) and [Pine Board](https://pineboards.io/); the completely open hardware [Libre Board](https://libre.computer/); the Asus [TinkerBoard](https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/aiot-industrial-solutions/all-series/tinker-board/) and the Texas Instruments [Beagle Board](https://www.beagleboard.org/).

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-sell-cost-%2450-%E2%80%93-%24200" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Sell</span>

**Cost**

$50 – $200

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Single-board computers work well for small servers, but can struggle under heavy usage. While cost-effective, they are also examples er, but these computers can run for months without needing to be restarted.

[![1000006095.jpg](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/1000006095.jpg)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/1000006095.jpg)

<p class="callout info">Great for hosting a small server where you run services only for yourself.</p>

<details id="bkmrk-home-server-use-a-ra"><summary>Home Server</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-07 at 18.19.42.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-18-19-42.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-18-19-42.png)

Use a [Raspberry Pi 4](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/) for [Home Assistant](https://hub.subspace.services/books/home-assistant "Home Assistant") to manage your smart devices and [Grocy](https://hub.subspace.services/books/grocy "Grocy") to keep track of your kitchen inventory.

</details><details id="bkmrk-personal-cloud-the-r"><summary>Personal Cloud</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-07 at 13.34.49.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-13-34-49.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-07-at-13-34-49.png)

The [Raspberry Pi 5](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/) and a USB 3.0 Hard Drive can be a personal [OwnCloud](https://hub.subspace.services/books/owncloud "OwnCloud") server for your calendar, contacts and files. Add [Collabora](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "Collabora") to edit documents, slideshows and spreadsheets directly in your browser.

</details><details id="bkmrk-personal-wiki-use-th"><summary>Personal Wiki</summary>

[![Screen Shot 2025-03-09 at 20.32.07.png](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/scaled-1680-/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-20-32-07.png)](https://hub.subspace.services/uploads/images/gallery/2025-03/screen-shot-2025-03-09-at-20-32-07.png)

Use the [Libre Computer Solitude](https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905d3-cc/) for hosting your own [BookStack](https://hub.subspace.services/books/collabora "BookStack") to keep track of your personal knowledge.

</details><p class="callout warning">**Your experiences may vary.**  
Always make sure to test for stability when installing new services.</p>

This class of commodity computers use ARM processors that are part of a system-on-a-chip. They are extremely power efficient with performance specifics being dependent on the model you purchase. Generally, they are powered using a USB connector and a high-quality cable.

By default, many come with an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI and 3.5mm audio output. These board also come with a GPIO port which offers programmable pins for HAT add-ons and project development.

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-minimum-specificatio" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-width: 1px; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Minimum Specifications</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-stylus_laser_pointer" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 7.02367%;"></col><col style="width: 92.9744%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Developer\_board</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Processor**

- 1.5GHz
- Quad-Core
- ARM system-on-a-chip

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Memory</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;">**Memory**

- 8GB or higher
- DDR4

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">View\_in\_ar</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Graphics**

- Integrated Graphics
- Shared Memory

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Hard\_drive</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Storage**

- 32GB Class 10 SDXC

</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Lan</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Connectivity**

- 1GBit Ethernet
- BlueTooth
- USB 3.0
- GPIO

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-where-to-buy" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 100%;"></col></colgroup><thead><tr><td>Where To Buy</td></tr></thead></table>

<table border="1" class="align-left" id="bkmrk-store-where-to-buy-%C2%A0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px; border-width: 0px; height: 261.6px; border-spacing: 5px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 0px; padding: 5px; width: 20px;"><span class="material-symbols-outlined">Language</span>

</td><td style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px;">**Online**

- [AdaFruit](https://www.adafruit.com/)
- [LoveRpi](https://www.loverpi.com/collections/)
- [CanaKit](https://www.canakit.com/)
- [SparkFun](https://www.sparkfun.com/)
- [AmeriDroid](https://ameridroid.com/)
- [MicroCenter](https://www.microcenter.com/)
- [Official Raspberry Pi distributors](https://www.raspberrypi.com/resellers/)

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