Top 10 Single‑Board Computers of 2021: Performance, Power, and Applications

Single‑board computers (SBCs) surged in 2020 with the Raspberry Pi 4, an upgraded Nvidia Jetson Developer Kit, and the Odyssey J4105 x86 series that supports both Windows and Linux natively. 2021 presented a global pandemic and a semiconductor shortage that slowed production of GPUs, CPUs, and other components. While manufacturers faced challenges, chip output is projected to rebound later this year. Below are the most notable SBCs available in 2021, along with their key features and potential applications.

1: Raspberry Pi 400

The Raspberry Pi 400 is a complete computer integrated into a full‑size keyboard. Designed for everyday computing—work, study, and home use—the Foundation packs a Broadcom BCM2711 quad‑core Cortex‑A72 64‑bit SoC running at 1.8 GHz, 4 GB LPDDR4 memory, dual‑band Wi‑Fi (802.11b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5.0/BLE, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also offers two USB=3.0 ports, one USB=2.0 port, two micro‑HDMI outputs, and the standard 40‑pin GPIO header found on most Raspberry Pi models. The board supports 4K video via H.265 and 1080p via H.264, and it boots instantly, ready to connect to a TV or monitor.

Available in 78‑ or 79‑key variants (by region) or as a starter kit—including a mouse, USB-C power supply, an SD card preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS, an HDMI cable, and a beginner’s guide—the Raspberry Pi 400 delivers a plug‑and‑play experience for developers and hobbyists alike.

Continue reading the full article originally published on EE Times.

2. Embedded Now Piconium Modular SBC
3. Odyssey x86 Mini‑PC
4. Nvidia Jetson TX2
5. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
6. Asus Tinker Board 2S
7. iWave Systems iW-Rainbow-G27S
8. BeagleBone Green Wireless
9. F&S armStone MX8M
10. Novasom Industries M11

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