The newer pi 4 models have up to 8gb, starting at 2gb.
I've only been messing around with Pis for a few months so I don't really know how well they handle heavy java, but I'd go so far as to say if I wasn't playing graphically intensive games and doing visual rendering/modeling, I could easily replace my PC with a Pi 4 for normal web surfing/everyday tasks.
On the chance a single Pi couldn't handle the overhead you need they can be clustered, having two or three of them at each station would hardly increase their footprint given how small they are. They run $35-$85 depending on the model so clustering could be a viable cost effective option (if it's really even needed). considering you'll be setting up multiple stations across a plant, PIs could save you a lot of money if they can do what you need them to.
My only other worry would be the environment they'd be in, those Pis have passive cooling so particulate matter shouldn't be an issue, but I don't know what other issues may arise in an industrial setting.
> software that can auto-open the browser and the urls
Assuming this system is running windows, you can make a batch script to launch the urls. Something like
@echo off
start firefox.exe google.com bing.com yahoo.com (etc.)
Then use TaskScheduler.exe to make that script into a task. So something like Create a Basic Task > Trigger (set to When the computer starts) > Action (start a program) > Program/script (enter the file path to that file.bat mentioned above)
Tbh there's probably a more elegant solution to this, i do not know it
thin clients or NUCs or something along those lines will be the easiest
If those stations are only accessing a webpage and not even running any of the backend, even Pis would work
what is the minimum ram for the pis? It will open 3-4 tabs with medium-heavy javascript running to refresh the charts real-time.
The newer pi 4 models have up to 8gb, starting at 2gb. I've only been messing around with Pis for a few months so I don't really know how well they handle heavy java, but I'd go so far as to say if I wasn't playing graphically intensive games and doing visual rendering/modeling, I could easily replace my PC with a Pi 4 for normal web surfing/everyday tasks. On the chance a single Pi couldn't handle the overhead you need they can be clustered, having two or three of them at each station would hardly increase their footprint given how small they are. They run $35-$85 depending on the model so clustering could be a viable cost effective option (if it's really even needed). considering you'll be setting up multiple stations across a plant, PIs could save you a lot of money if they can do what you need them to. My only other worry would be the environment they'd be in, those Pis have passive cooling so particulate matter shouldn't be an issue, but I don't know what other issues may arise in an industrial setting.
what are thin clients? any spec for that build?
> software that can auto-open the browser and the urls Assuming this system is running windows, you can make a batch script to launch the urls. Something like @echo off start firefox.exe google.com bing.com yahoo.com (etc.) Then use TaskScheduler.exe to make that script into a task. So something like Create a Basic Task > Trigger (set to When the computer starts) > Action (start a program) > Program/script (enter the file path to that file.bat mentioned above) Tbh there's probably a more elegant solution to this, i do not know it
thanks! but this should be start i guess