From pies to onions, engineers and makers have designed numerous devices, that can fit into the palm of your hand. These miniature versions of the Intel i7 rig running on your desk have powered quad copters, media centers, and some of the lucky ones, have even visited a space station. I've collected, what I believe are the top 5 single board computers available right now (feel free to discuss).
#5. Onion Omega 2
Though only available on Kickstarter, the Omega 2 is a powerhouse when it comes to Internet of Things. The developers have created a stunning web based user interface to interact with the Omega 2. However the processor speed and the small amount of memory can certainly slow down some of the more advanced makers, and that is why I give it number five on this list.
#4. Raspberry Pi Zero
The smallest slice in the Raspberry Pi family, this board is one of the cheapest on the market. Don't judge it by it's size though. This board can run the same operating system as the larger counterparts of the Pi, and has recently upgraded to version 1.3, which boasts an on-board Pi Camera connector. The problem is it only has 512MB of RAM, so I can't play Minecraft and watch IT Crowd at the same time.
#3. Chip
The third most noteworthy SBC is the Chip. Not only does it have the same processor speed and RAM amount as the Raspberry Pi Zero, but it also has on board Wi-Fi and bluetooth, making the Internet of Things one step more accessible. The key feature, though, is the Pocket Chip, an adapter that transforms the Chip into a portable game console. However, it is not powerful enough to run multiple programs simultaneously.
#2. Arduino YUN
This Arduino product is not only a powerful single-board computer, but it also has a direct connection to ATmega32u4, making it more useful right out of the box (enough said). However, the use of a command line only interface and complicated setup process can slow down a beginner. However, the ability to connect directly to the MCU and the ARM processor (and vice-versa) is definitely the reason to give it the number 2 spot.
#1. Raspberry Pi 3
Finally I can free my USB ports of bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters, because the Raspberry Pi 3 comes with integrated bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making Internet of Things projects easier than before. No more clunky USB adapters, it's just me, chilling with the bluetooths.
