Small PCs:

Netbook:

Mini PC:

PC Stick:

TV-Box:

Tablet:

Even small, humble projects need means to display something and to allow for operator intervention. More often than not, such means are - more or less sloppily improvised - contraptions, for example, LEDs, DIL switches, and pushbuttons plugged into a breadboard.

The basic idea: Solve such problems by devices like those:

There are small personal computers  (PCs) around, that are essentially cheap. A netbook, a PC stick or a tablet costs less than the components of a purpose-built device. Hence we may avoid tinkering. Instead, we  concentrate on programming.

These devices are evidently jerry-built. They are, however, somewhat more sturdy.

Crafting such stuff, however, requires some equipment:

Here are two basic control panels, resulting from exercises and experiments in mechanical and PCB design.

Such a device is considerably more expensive than the two tablets in that 19" subrack:

MORE ...

August 8, 2020

Read the article on the Internet

See more details:

Two small tablets, one machine

Adapting small tablets to 3 U subracks

3 U modules

Indicating supply voltage and charge current

Small screens and a PC stick