The raspberry pi SBC (single board computer) began in England in 2012 as an idea to get a really low-cost computer into schools to teach children computer skills. “The original model became more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for diverse uses such as robotics, home and industrial automation, and by computer and electronic hobbyists, because of its low cost, modularity, open design, and its adoption of the HDMI and USB standards.”–wikipedia
I use Raspberry Pis for digital signage, and as a music player and as a backup server. They’re simple and low-power small deck-of-cards size computers.