There is the Orange Pi, Nano Pi, Banana Pi, and the of course you have other alternatives like the $19.00 1GB Pine A64... Everybody and their dog are making single board computers. I would search the reviews... check Amazon and YouTube reviews...
I don't think it is dead... they just sell out very fast... and of course the Zero-W is a little more desirable. MicroCenter uses them as a calling card... You can buy it online but you have to pick it up at the store waiting for you at will-call (they don't ship online). Make sure you save up your mike money... MicroCenter is a candy store for DIYers... After you walk through the store you usually go home with more then just a $5.00 Zero... I know, I have experience...
Of course, they don't even cost me $5.00... I order it online and my wife goes right past MicroCnter on her way home form work and she will pick it up and pay for it... MicroCenter is a little overwhelming, I rather have my wife pick them up for me...
I also live right in the middle of the American Amazon, Amazon has a bunch of distribution warehouses just across the river at Northern Kentucky-Cincinnati Airport (CVG). They bought 90 acres next to CVG for their international distribution center that connects to the DHL hub... Sometimes I get Amazon orders in one day, including Sunday...
