Any affordable mini computer available in the market?

Question

Well, I am a noob in this electronic kind of stuff but have an idea in my mind. What I'm planning is make a mini-computer using any microcontrollers like the Arduino Uno board or the Raspberry Pi (may be 2 or 3).

What if we make a mini-computer, no matter with Arduino board or maybe raspberry, And try to bring it in the market?

Will it bring or cause any violation rights or something? I mean will it be illegal if I make a mini-computer with any of the existing microcontrollers and bring my mini-computer in the market to sell it?

And if no, then any ideas for making one which is NOT a common one?

Thanks in Advance!

DAB · Answer

As @Clem said, as long as you are not competing directly with a known product and as long as you do not violate your main MCU intended use issues, you would be mostly free to create a product by integrating off the shelf components to make your mini-computer system.

You would basically became a Value Added Retailer (VAR) for the devices, hence the need to avoid legal issues.

If you want to go this route, I would get a system design together and then set down with a knowledgeable lawyer to make sure you are all above board.

After that, it is a matter of building the prototype, establishing a cost per unit number and serve a market niche. A Kick Starter effort will tell you if you have a device that would interest people.

Either way, you will have a lot of challenges to overcome, so good luck.

DAB

clem57 · Answer

You can if you do not name it "intel minicomputer" or use other names or trademarks.

amgalbu · Answer

BTW, may be you will find this interesting https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/nexdock-the-world-s-most-affordable-laptop--2#/