If I want a home server, then sure its no the right product.
If I want to give a machine that a child can tinker with, and has lots of support /docs on how to do cool shit with it, then this is probably one way.
If thats too expensive, then the plain 500, for half the price.
The mini PCs sold everywhere these days use standard Linux with over the counter components by Intel and AMD that are documented to death. They have the memory, faster CPU, fast storage, multiple HDMI outs, power switches etc. They run Windows if that's your thing. You can actually use them as your main computer if you are a teenager or light user.
This is far from the British computers that theoretically inspired the foundation. Even the cheaper 500 isn't such a great value for real world computer education. I bet more adult hobbyists like me use them than actual children.
can you show me the GPIO library and documentation for a beelink n100?
where are the i2c pins on the motherboard, do they come with headers, or do we need to solder them in?
> Even the cheaper 500 isn't such a great value, unlike for instance, the foundation's (and mine) beloved ZX Spectrum.
the non plus 500 is £84. The Zxspectrum would be £500 adjusted for inflation.
a decent n100 (ie one that isn't a gamble) is £250, and again is for a different purpose.
People like to criticise x64 but getting a thin client from ebay and ESP32 GPIO board is probably the best bang for your buck.
No one buys raspberry pi to save money anymore, you buy it because you want to use Arm architecture and ability to use Android builds like LineageOS.