Raspberry Pi has raised prices on many Pi 4, Pi 5, and Compute Module models as memory costs surge in 2026, undermining its once-low-cost SBC positioning.
I find that if you don’t need it to be small but just cheap you can often find used boards or even cheap new boards in the ATX, micro ATX or mini ITX form factors that have more ports and such. I think sometimes people get hung up on using a Pi “because they are cheap” not realizing that if they AREN’T cheap they can switch to a “normal” computer.
You can get old laptops for under $100 all day long. Pretty capable old laptops. Once size isn’t a real limiting factor, suddenly there is incredible choice.
I find that if you don’t need it to be small but just cheap you can often find used boards or even cheap new boards in the ATX, micro ATX or mini ITX form factors that have more ports and such. I think sometimes people get hung up on using a Pi “because they are cheap” not realizing that if they AREN’T cheap they can switch to a “normal” computer.
You can get old laptops for under $100 all day long. Pretty capable old laptops. Once size isn’t a real limiting factor, suddenly there is incredible choice.