[sq_]

I think at this point the brand reputation and software quality are a big selling point.

If you're trying to build a couple of units of some embedded thing where you need to toggle some GPIOs or serial devices in response to requests over the network, but don't have the expertise or resources to do it with a microcontroller, a Pi is a great option - you know you'll have software support, and you know that the vendor will be making the exact thing you bought for 5-10y.

For hobbyist stuff at home, I agree, though. A mini PC is probably better for homelab stuff, and an RP2350 or ESP32 is probably better for anything embedded or battery powered that you want to do.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

Development speed is also one of the forgotten axes. I mentioned upthread a system I built that was done in less than a day. There's no microcontroller solution I know of that would have let me deliver it that fast.

[dreamworld]

I've been playing with Circuit Python (variant of Micro Python, etc.), and it seems quite great actually. For small projects it's far simpler to use than C/C++, although if you're using some peripheral that isn't just toggling pins or simple serial commands you need a library (module). But then in that case you'd probably want a library in C as well. Definitely recommend it :) (it works on ESP32 boards as well as similar recent microcontrollers)

[HeyLaughingBoy]

I like CircuitPython: shipped at least one freelance project using it. However, MicroPython seems to have support over a broader range of platforms. Haven't decided which one to stick with just yet.