> Or is a custom DE the advantage

Yes, as a learning-first (teaching) platform, the custom DE is an advantage.

But further, the R.Pi does not need to be an over-sized solution or lead a benchmark with a top score. It just needs to be fast enough for learning and hacking with GPIO.

A computer doesn't need to have a gigahertz burst mode just to run an efficient little OS for coding.

As for Wayland, it only recently became the default WM. But it is nice to have.

> A computer doesn't need to have a gigahertz burst mode just to run an efficient little OS for coding.

If efficiency is your goal, you should prefer the N100 which is built on a 7nm class process compared to the Pi 5's 16nm.