Define the deployment
Decide whether the system sits on a desk, lives inside an enclosure, or moves with a robot. Power, airflow, storage reliability, and access for maintenance change with that decision.
Make a complete bill of materials
Include the host computer, accelerator, storage, power supply, cooler, camera, cables, and enclosure. Keep one-off development accessories separate from the cost of a deployable unit.
Prove one model first
Before buying multiple boards, reproduce the smallest useful version of your intended task. Save the model identifier, software versions, conversion settings, and commands.
Keep a recovery path
Back up the known working image and configuration. A failed runtime upgrade should be reversible without reconstructing the entire project.
Record a baseline
Begin with a small repeatable workload. Log outputs, latency, power, and any error. Repeat after a configuration change so you can tell whether the change helped.
Primary sources
Source check: November 1, 2026. Product and service details can change.