Single board computers
From Wildsong
RouterBoard
I currently am experimenting with a RouterBoard 532A (about $200 including a case and power supply).
Manufacturers
PC Engines makes ALIX (full schematics available) and WRAP (end of life) boards.
ALIX.3D1 system board (LX700 / 128 MB / 1 LAN / 2 miniPCI, rs232) $101 ALIX 3D2 system board (LX800 / 256 MB/ 1 LAN / 2 miniPCI, 2 usb, rs232) $115
Soekris boards are also popular for WiFi projects. None look interesting to me.
RouterBoard 133 model is just $59
PepLink makes load balancers, WAPS, and a general purposes gateway router/switch box calld the Manga. See also "Debian in 3 watts". This shows how to set up a Manga to run Debian from a USB storage device.