How to performance test the board, or any intel/amd for Ai object detecttion?

I am testing several python examples using object detection. The workstation is slow!! I dont intend to sell a work station to the end client but a small embedded board, power supply camera in its own custom housing. I like to know if anyone here is deploying these boards in a ai solution?? also any Python experts here? I get some bizare behavior “not on my existing beagleboard”. Ohhh and like to know can a beagle board attach a LTE card cape and also, a stepper motor driver cape? What would be the cost ?