Atomic Pi only has 2GB RAM, which limits its use; but it is PC compatible. It is usable with a decent USB drive. Raspberry Pi 4B is usable. They all can run KiCad for PCB design. Atomic Pi can run LTSpice.
Multimeters: ANENG AN8008 DMM ($20), ST213 Clamp meter ($20), Cen-Tech/HaborFreight multimeter ($5), LCR-T4 ($6)
AN8008 gives pretty good voltage and resistor measurement but the current measurement is not reliable at high range. Cen-Tech's current measurement is good enough. And ST213 is for high current. LCR-T4 is also good for verifying component values and the firmware is open source.
Soldering Station: TS100 solder iron ($40 with coupon), Chandler Tools heat gun HG603D ($24), PCB Holder fixture ($4)
TS100 is pretty decent. There is an open-source version of the firmware. It is portable with a battery pack. I also got 3 more soldering iron tips for about $4 each: TS-KU, TS-JL02, TS-C1 in addition to TS-D24. The 320W heat gun with two speeds works well. The PCB holder works for small boards. A Harbor Freight "Helping Hand" with two alligator chips and a magnifier is somewhat usable after I secured the base with a plate.
Caliper: iGaging EZCal digital caliper ($29)
It has a nice large display and works except for the battery life. It is relatively a little pricey.
Scale: Digital Jewelry Scale ($4)
Multimeters: ANENG AN8008 DMM ($20), ST213 Clamp meter ($20), Cen-Tech/HaborFreight multimeter ($5), LCR-T4 ($6)
AN8008 gives pretty good voltage and resistor measurement but the current measurement is not reliable at high range. Cen-Tech's current measurement is good enough. And ST213 is for high current. LCR-T4 is also good for verifying component values and the firmware is open source.
Soldering Station: TS100 solder iron ($40 with coupon), Chandler Tools heat gun HG603D ($24), PCB Holder fixture ($4)
TS100 is pretty decent. There is an open-source version of the firmware. It is portable with a battery pack. I also got 3 more soldering iron tips for about $4 each: TS-KU, TS-JL02, TS-C1 in addition to TS-D24. The 320W heat gun with two speeds works well. The PCB holder works for small boards. A Harbor Freight "Helping Hand" with two alligator chips and a magnifier is somewhat usable after I secured the base with a plate.
Caliper: iGaging EZCal digital caliper ($29)
It has a nice large display and works except for the battery life. It is relatively a little pricey.
Scale: Digital Jewelry Scale ($4)
200g range, 0.01g resolution. It seems accurate. Good for weighing small components.
Rotary Tools: HarborFreight Chicago rotary tool set ($5)
This is a cheap tool, barely usable. I power it with a variable voltage power adapter to make it somewhat usable.
Lights: Desk lamp with magnifier
It had a fluorescent lamp, but burnt out. I installed 10 1W LEDs. It works very well.
Hand Tools: Set of pliers, wire strippers, set of small screw drivers, nibbler, diagonal wire cutter, tweezers, 6" ruler in SAE and metric ($3 for 2), Dental picks and mirror ($6)
A Harbor Freight 16 in 1 electronic repair kit was inexpensive ($5) and usable. A small diagonal wire cutter is very nice to have.
Rotary Tools: HarborFreight Chicago rotary tool set ($5)
This is a cheap tool, barely usable. I power it with a variable voltage power adapter to make it somewhat usable.
Lights: Desk lamp with magnifier
It had a fluorescent lamp, but burnt out. I installed 10 1W LEDs. It works very well.
Hand Tools: Set of pliers, wire strippers, set of small screw drivers, nibbler, diagonal wire cutter, tweezers, 6" ruler in SAE and metric ($3 for 2), Dental picks and mirror ($6)
A Harbor Freight 16 in 1 electronic repair kit was inexpensive ($5) and usable. A small diagonal wire cutter is very nice to have.
