Raspberry pi?
Edit: also cheap chromebooks
this post was submitted on 10 May 2025
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I have a Luckfox Pico Ultra-W running a 'buildroot' linux with a camera module that I use as a security camera. It cost me about A$33.
I also have a Luckfox Pico Max running ubuntu simply to run smokeping 24x7 monitoring - about A$30.
Finally a ESP32 CAM Camera Module With OV2640 camera that can be bought for less that A$15 (not linux but just FYI).
I saw the luckfox products on aliexpress and they definitely looked cool!
Not trying to blame anyone, I just wish more ppl prefer old good stuff over new cheap stuff. Sigh.
Recycling those ewaste is a lot more expensive than manufacturing them. Of course that's edge cases, but I think reusing old devices works better(and more environmentally friendly) for most ppl.
Nothing wrong with brain storming, just please consider reusing old devices when you start a cool project.
True - but don't forget cost of power ($ cost and environment cost). These old brutes consume a lot esp. compared to the SBCs.
I'm very for used hardware, some of my stuff is dumpster finds. I just liked the thought experiment of replacing a hypothetical 486 pc with a brand new computer.
You can get EOL Chromebooks for around $40-50. Who cares that they don't get security updates when you're not using ChromeOS!
Right in your price range, and now it's a portable all-in-one package.
If you like tinkering and the like, try a Chromebook but check out this site first.
I was going to suggest RPiZero too, it should even be more powerful than an actual 486.
Drop the requirement for new and you can get plenty of good stuff for free.
Especially Win10 computers :-)
Where can I get these for free?
My current desktop came from a co-worker, but you can also put the word out to family and friends that you're interested in their old machines. Most people are happy to give them away because otherwise it costs them money to dispose of electronics. If nothing else, you could post on Nextdoor or a local Facebook page that you're looking for a Win10 machine that would otherwise be trashed.
Older machines also mean dirt-cheap upgrades. The desktop I have came with a Celeron cpu. I dropped in an i7 for $10 from ebay, and recently upgraded it to 24GB of ram with sticks I had pulled from other free systems. When you switch to Linux you're not wasting horsepower on Microsoft spyware crap, so this machine does just fine for my needs (although I'm also not trying to play games).
I have a bunch of old macs here with different distros onthem, mostly Mint, that I have been trying to give away to locals (without being obligated to provide support, which is the stickler apparently). They all run great. One could dumpster dive or curb cruise, or around here, lurk at Recycling.
I think it isnt a great idea to go for new ever. Why would you? You can buy 10+ yr old computers for 10$ or get them for free. It is far better for the environment and far cheaper.
Because this is a thought experiment. There's no waste when nobody's actually buying anything.
Whatever the cheapest laptop is
Not NEW, but, check out local auctions. Local universities and govt offices are frequently selling lots of newish laptops (5ish yrs old) for $10-$50 apiece.
on my campus, there's a stack of several dozen desktops just out in the open (in a basement)
plus a dumpster worth on monitors, peripherals, and at least one ipad with multiple bullet holes. the screen is fine -- somebody pulled the screen off, then shot the logic board. i have so many questions
along those same lines, used Chromebooks – Google ends support after only a couple years so school districts all over the place are generally stuck with palettes of e-waste
Watch for thin clients too. You can install Linux on some of them and use them as a normal PC. They will have more processing power than a cheap SBC.
Raspberry Pi Zero second hand. Probably you can score something for less than 10 bucks.
Actually ESP32-S3 will be even cheaper than this one. They sell for around 5-6 $ but they are very limited in what they can do.
Yeah I mean, rule 1 is that it needs to run Linux, so I don't think a microcontroller like an ESP or Arduino is going to qualify...
http://wiki.osll.ru/doku.php/etc:users:jcmvbkbc:linux-xtensa:esp32s3 according to this it can run with some limitations.
I believe I saw some other single board computers with some cheap Rockchip CPU /Allwinner and regular HDMI and two USB and an Ethernet port for around $10 on Aliexpress. You wouldn't need the adapters from the Pi Zero with those. And there are some generic Android TV-Boxes for $8-15...
This seems like the most interesting suggestion so far. I'll look into those!
I bet you can find stuff on AliExpress for a lot less but then you have to insure support is descent.
There’s an SBC called Le Potato that usually goes for around $40.
Minisforum Refurb, or an SoC that's cheaper than RPi
Those cheap emulator handhelds run linux out of the box with built in screens, batteries, and controller inputs
I've got a shitty little android one I impulse bought a while back, I should play around with it
I didn't even think about those. That might be a good bet!
9 hours and still no GNU/Linux copypasta?