My laptop has been acting up. I want to buy a new computer. I've bought Intel boxes in the past. I think I want to switch to something like the Raspberry Pi or its competitors. My only unusual need is at least 6 usb-attached devices.

What do you all say?

I bought something called a thin client, and was lucky to find one which has a DOS operating system, not even Windows. It was one of those boxes which is like 6x7x1 inches (approximately) powered by a laptop like power cord and brick. So I wiped it and put Linux on it. It was like a medium grade AMD or Intel CPU, I don't think it even had sound, or maybe it did but no speaker, I didn't care. Probably had 4 USB. Seems like 6 USB is a lot to be on board. This was like 4 years ago so nothing current I can point to.

Did a quick search, here's a Pi4 system
https://www.connection.com/product/n...EikUeYxLZUZ9Tb

if otherwise RPi4 would be ok buy it and an usb hub. But it may depend on the devices you want to attach. (for example you can use bluetooth keyboard instead of usb keyboard).

The hard part will be finding a place, any place, with one in stock. Otherwise, a Raspberry Pi 4 with a USB hub and external storage will do fine. Or with the right backplane, a Compute Module 4 can do a lot of interesting things. Here's one which I have been watching: https://wiki.radxa.com/Taco and will still have to wait a little longer for.

However, not only are the old supply chain problems still going strong, 70% of the world's neon supply has been cut off due to the invasion of Ukraine. That is probably making itself felt in chip production already. So it might be a real scavenger hunt to find what you need.

Yes, a Raspberry Pi 4B or 400 will suffice as a desktop replacement, been using mine for a few years, off & on.

You will need a powered USB hub to run a lot of USB items, as the RPi has limited power over USB, (something like 1.5 amps for all 4 USB ports).

As suggested above, getting a pre used thin client is another way to go, most do have sound, but none have built in wifi, you will require a USB wifi if wifi is needed.

Other than those, I've bought up a couple of pre used micro desktops at good prices.

If you don't mind having a big desktop/tower, they are going remarkably cheaply these days.

Yeah it was a one-of search but I was surprised to find that one does actually have WiFi.

Also agree that the Pi does not have a lit of horsepower on the USB, get a powered hub.

Even with a powered usb hub, and you will definitely need one of those, you may run into problems with 6 usb devices attached to a a RPi. The usb firmware on them leaves a lot to be desired. It's probably all moot since RPis are nearly unobtainable at the moment but if you want to go that route, get a RPi 4 with 8GB of ram(the max) and run off of an ssd instead of an sdcard. As amazing as these little devices are, for desktop use I think you will find your current laptop is easily more powerful. For desktop use, RPis are like a dog that can talk - it's not that he does it well; the fact that he can do it at all is remarkable.

Used Chromebox. Cheap and linux compatible. Not a lot of extra hardware needed. Mine cost me approximately 35 bucks.
Mine is dual core intel celeron. Browses easily. Graphics are intel. Internal wifi and bluetooth included. Keyboard and monitor and off to the races.



If you look at Mint boxes. They sure look like repurposed Chromeboxes to me .

I'm running a Lenovo Mini and a 32" stupid TV.
It's i5 6500 16 mem 240 ssd
Dead silent, Runs cool 24/7.
5 usb but you can get a splitter with several ports
I have Solus Parakeet on it now but I've run several without issue

I have a RazPi 4 w/4G & SSD. I use it as a media box. They do internet, etc well enough, but choke on heavy work. Using tools like xz or zstd slow it to a crawl. Mine is 1.5 Ghz, the later ones are 1.8Ghz. It's also a pain to handle, as wires pull it after them. Requiring an sd card is childish because they don't last!

RPi4 works without SD card. And can't do hard work. Don't expect that.

I am sorry but the raspberry pi 4 is super for its performance.

I can replace the intel PC by far.

The PI 4 has OpenGL, meaning you can play many many many types of games (Sauerbraten, supertux kart, ... ):

If you look for a good kernel, nicely compiled, then run retropie.
You can get a fast desktop with lot of tools for education.
see https://gitlab.com/openbsd98324/flde
you remember damn small linux, the desktop, it is the successor for PI.

I wish you'd stop peddling your projects.
I mean, once a month or so is OK, but it seems every post of yours does that.
Can't you just put it in your signature and be done with it?

Thanks. I find a lot of cheap thin clients used but little support - at least for the out-dated models I'm looking at.

Do they require BIOS booting? The Wyse 7020, for example, can come with a Linux BIOS. Can it boot off what I've installed on the internal SSD? An external hard drive?

I run a Pi 4B. It comes by default with an SD card, but if you remove that card it can boot from USB.

I agree about the need for a powered USB hub with the limited power available to the Pi overall and its USB ports in particular.

It does, however, have both wifi and bluetooth as well as ethernet for IO. Needs usb for keyboard & mouse. Also has 2 HDMI ports for video.