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.
Complex GPIO? Arduino is still a cheap option if you dont need it too standalone.
Straight up pi-alikes? OrangePi is my preferred
Most of what I personally use is esp32s and tiny/mini/micro. TMM for servers and services, esp32s for sensors, interfaces, prototyping, etc. If I need something fully standalone thats going to go in a rack or whatever, needs to be small and have all the GPIO, thats where I’ll use an orangpi, clockwork, whatever. Ive even used a tinkerboard or a Jetson (client paying obviously, because screw those prices and nvidia).
What are some alternatives?
Price? Tiny/mini/micro PC
Simple sensor use? ESP32
Complex GPIO? Arduino is still a cheap option if you dont need it too standalone.
Straight up pi-alikes? OrangePi is my preferred
Most of what I personally use is esp32s and tiny/mini/micro. TMM for servers and services, esp32s for sensors, interfaces, prototyping, etc. If I need something fully standalone thats going to go in a rack or whatever, needs to be small and have all the GPIO, thats where I’ll use an orangpi, clockwork, whatever. Ive even used a tinkerboard or a Jetson (client paying obviously, because screw those prices and nvidia).
At that price point, a mini PC. Look at Dell or Lenovo, they make super small form factor computers that will blow a Pi out of the water.