For GPIO on mini PC you can use USB-GPIO adapter. Under Linux it can be used like native Raspberry's GPIOs. Raspberry is great when one learns or needs a typic

For GPIO on mini PC you can use USB-GPIO adapter. Under Linux it can be used like native Raspberry's GPIOs. Raspberry is great when one learns or needs a typical, embedded platform. I'm using Raspberry to learn about Kernel, drivers, bootloaders, etc., but I wouldn't use it as my local server/home automation computer. For this, I have a second-hand HP T630 that I bought for $46, and works great.