A microcomputer is most often a portable computer or notebook whose only central processing unit is a microprocessor. They are used for arithmetic operations, control of complex technological processes. Such microcomputers are equipped with peripheral devices, such as displays, analog-to-digital converters, printing devices, and others.
Basic features of a microcomputer
- Bus connection of system devices.
- Complete unification of hardware and software.
- Lots of potential customers.
Types of microcomputers
- Stationary. This type is the most popular and widespread. It consists of a single system unit, which is located separately from external devices. After all, what is a microcomputer without a mouse, keyboard and, of course, a monitor? It is possible to connect other external devices to a separate system unit, for example: a printer, a game joystick, an acoustic system.
- Portable. Nowadays, this type has also become very popular. MostA well-known and widespread portable microcomputer is a laptop. It differs from the previous one only in that external and internal devices are combined in one case. But a different appearance does not take away the ability to connect other external devices to the microcomputer.
- Network. After the rapid development of the world wide web in the 1990s, there is a need to invent networked microcomputers. This view is designed to work only on the network. They are much cheaper than stationary or portable ones, since they do not need disk drives and their own memory. And soon telephone companies, schools and other educational institutions will be fully equipped with networked microcomputers.
- Pocket. Small PDAs weighing 200-400 grams, which fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Not so long ago, namely in the 1990s, PDAs with operating systems appeared. This made it possible to exchange information with other computers and microcomputers, as well as connect to the worldwide network. Pocket microcomputers do not have a disk drive and a hard disk. Most of these computers are touch-sensitive, but there are also models with small keyboards.
New Ainol
Many well-known Chinese company Ainol has released a microcomputer on Windows 8.1. A small device measuring 145 x 116 x 15 mm and weighing 330 grams, more like an external hard drive than a powerful microcomputer, but it is a real PC. The device boasts of its quad-core processor1, 33-1, 83 GHz, 2 GB RAM and 32 GB built-in flash module, expandable up to 128 GB using a memory card. USB 3.0, Micro HDMI 1.4 is added to the standard USB 2.0 port. In addition, the device is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
This Windows microcomputer is equipped with a powerful rechargeable battery - 7000mA, which allows you to work with the device for a long time without recharging from the mains. Thanks to its battery, the product can even serve as a charger for your phone or tablet.
Plus comes with a remote control for more convenient use of the device, which has a built-in keyboard.
Best Single Board Microcomputer
This invention is considered the best among similar embedded computer systems, and its price makes users buy without hesitation and recommend to friends. But this device can please users not at a single price.
Food
In order to power the Raspberry Pi microcomputer, you need a voltage of 5V and a current of 700 mA (the more, the better, most importantly, no less) and a microUSB cable. Chargers from Apple Iphone or Nokia are perfect. However, do not attempt to charge your device using the USB port on your computer.
For convenient use of the Raspberry Pi, the board provides an HDMI port. This will allow you to easily connect the device to a TV or monitor. It happens that the monitor does not supportHDMI, in this case, you can use an HDMI-DVI adapter or regular "tulips".
The Raspberry Pi board has 2 ports, allowing you to connect any keyboard or mouse. And to connect the device to the network, as usual, you will need an ethernet cable. It is enough to use it to connect the device to a router or any other equipment.
OS installation
What is a microcomputer without an operating system? Unnecessary fee. Before you start your Raspberry Pi for the first time, you must first write the OS image to a microSD card. This can be done from any computer by downloading the OS image from the main RPi page. After preparing the memory card, you can start running the Raspberry Pi, thereby booting the system.
- You must insert a memory card into the slot and connect the device to power.
- After the boot process has started on the display, the device may reboot several times. It depends on which operating system was chosen.
- Step through the standard installation process.
- After that, you need to fill in the credentials. You should look for them on the OS download page.
To work with the interface familiar to many, you need to enter a certain command in the device.
Such a microcomputer is, of course, a budget option, but it can show considerable performance to its user.
Cubieboard microcomputer
After the fabulous success of the Raspberry Pi, a Chinese engineer decided to repeat their triumph and released a new inexpensive versionmicrocomputer - Cubieboard. This device is equipped with a powerful ARM processor with a frequency of 1 GHz. The Mali400 video accelerator allows you to enjoy HD quality that is pleasing to the eye. 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory, on which the bootloader and operating system will already be installed. Like the Raspberry Pi, the device has an HDMI output that allows you to connect to any monitor or TV, it is possible to use the worldwide network using an ethernet cable, and the board also has two USB and an infrared port.
This microcomputer costs only $49. For such a device, this is not at all a lot, but you can work on it properly. For those who like to have fun, auxiliary 96 pins are displayed in addition to everything.
The very first batch produced 200 samples, which sold out very quickly. Therefore, the manufacturers immediately began selling the second batch already in 1000 copies. Such a hype around this device arose due to the fact that there was an active attraction of money, and the support of the IT community played a significant role.
It should be remembered that the microcomputer is the cheapest and most compact type of all similar devices. It has almost all the devices that a stationary or laptop computer has and is not inferior to them in terms of performance, and the price is so symbolic only because the appearance is not entirely presentable. However, having bought such a device for $ 25-80, few people will look at how it looks. Although its functionalcharacteristics are fixed, such a device works quite productively.
