Is it not better to avoid the Pi 5 or the OP 5, because SBCs have become the subject of stock market speculations & scalping, until a better solution is found?

Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by pg@petergamma.org

The Orange Pi 5 was promoted as alternative to the Raspberry Pi during the shortage:

the Orange Pi 5 can be used as your everyday computer

The Rasberry Pi shortage is over, now, but In Switzerland SBC starting from 2 GB Ram which is required for our application:

• the Raspberry Pi 4 is available from Digtec Switzerland for around 70 – 80 USD
• the Raspberry Pi 5 is available from Digtec Switzerland for around 100 USD
• the Orange Pi 5 is not available in the shops in Switzerland. it is only available for instance from Aliexpress from around 130 USD
• the Orange Pi zero 3 is currently available for around 40 USD from Aliexpress. We made the experience that we sometimes received faulty devices from Aliexpress, which where not worth sending back. But if a SBC is sold in big numbers sooner or later, will the risk not be lower? And is it not also a risk we can live with it? And a SBC for 40 USD without warranty and no return, can we not live with that?

Avoid the Raspberry Pi 5. Who knows when the next chip crisis will come, and the Raspberri Pi 5 will cost 200 USD and more, as the Pi 4 was during the chip crisis. During the chip crisis, the Raspberry Pi 3 was available used starting from around 120 USD.

Will single board computers not become single-use disposable products bought directly from Aliexpress for around 40 USD, such as currently the Rasperry Pi zero 3 is?