If you want Linux, you can use an existing laptop, there are plenty of guides how to remove or shrink windows and put Linux on it so dual boot. Or as virtual machine, even easier. And you have compact 1 object with a screen that only needs a PSU. A Pi5 and miniPC need a screen keyboard mouse and so extra cables and PSU etc. Fine if fixed office environment. A chromebook has a screen, but it needs internet and is google vendor lock. And same as Apple OS, MS Windows, Android, it is not really open source. In a plane or during travel a device with screen has way more value then a computing box. Also in hotels, you don't need HDMI cable and the TV in the room. It is just some situations, I don't know your life and plans.
If you just want a small board and do some HW GPIO a Pico connected via an USB cable to whatever computer is cheap and I think more fun than a Pi0. Pi0 has camera option, maybe that is wanted.
If you figured out that you need some Linux server 24/7 hooked up to the internet, a Pi5 is more low-power than a miniPC. If you want battery operated, even a Pi5 might be too power hungry, but I think that is not the issue in this topic. It seems about (human) interactive computing.
If you just want a small board and do some HW GPIO a Pico connected via an USB cable to whatever computer is cheap and I think more fun than a Pi0. Pi0 has camera option, maybe that is wanted.
If you figured out that you need some Linux server 24/7 hooked up to the internet, a Pi5 is more low-power than a miniPC. If you want battery operated, even a Pi5 might be too power hungry, but I think that is not the issue in this topic. It seems about (human) interactive computing.
Statistics: Posted by redvli — Fri Sep 20, 2024 5:53 am