For tinkering and GPIO stuff I still think the Pi is unmatched, but with the specs of these newer models and the prices, they seem to be entering more of the ho

For tinkering and GPIO stuff I still think the Pi is unmatched, but with the specs of these newer models and the prices, they seem to be entering more of the homelab/desktop/server segment, at which point these mini PCs we're talking about are a far better value proposition. If you want to connect breakouts and do some electronics work etc, a Pi 4 or a lower-RAM/lower-cost Pi 5 is an excellent choice, for those who were using them to host software like I've been doing mini-PCs destroy Pis these days at the price/feature and price/performance level. If the Pis weren't looking more like these mini PCs in features and cost, they wouldn't be coming up as comparisons.