That shifts the problem elsewhere (now you need a carrier board with additional electronics), but it doesn't solve it.

The pi form factor is fine, but 2-pin Molex-type connector in parallel with the incoming 5V would be a great addition. Hell, even just leave pads or holes and I'll solder in a connector myself. RPi's are being used more and more in embedded applications. It would be nice if the Foundation acknowledged that and made it a bit easier to work with.

The Pi can be powered by 5V through the expansion connector at pins 2 and 4 (with pin 6 and some others for ground). You can also get/build a 'hat' for your embedded application that provides power over Ethernet, 24V screw terminals with a regulator down to 5V, or whatever connector you require.

However, I disagree that the Molex connector is inherently superior to USB-C. I am abundantly familiar with the incongruity of a wall wart in an embedded application, but all you need for the power supply is 5V delivered over a USB-C connector. I understand an appeal for a latching or screw-secured connector, but a pin header connector is neither of those. USB-C doesn't easily fall out, it's just another connector.

Another answer is to hack a USB 2.0 C-C cable [1] in half, pull back the shield, heat shrink over the shield and 30 AWG data wires, crimp ferrules on the 26 AWG power wires, and run those to my screw terminals of the existing embedded 5V power bus.

[1] https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=27907

To build on that, you can also secure the USB-C connector with a small dab of epoxy or locktite. Many devices I've pulled apart put a dab of epoxy on connectors to secure them so it's a known technique. A small dab still lets a technician break it if need be for repairs.

The USB-C connector is surface-mounted, so that makes it super easy to be torqued off by the massive cantilever that is the USB-C plug. I regularly have entire connectors ripped off PCBs but that has never happened with cheap, industrial connectors like the various ones Molex produces (and they're dirt cheap).

Molex has very sturdy through-hole power connectors as well as plugs that are lower profile and won't torque off the connector as easily. 2-pin Mini-Fit Jr. would work pretty well.

Or XT30 even. I love XT30 connectors.

Just need a case that supports screw down connectors like these

https://www.amazon.com/JSER-Type-C-Locking-Connector-Standar...

Issue solved.

I wish the pi 4 was available in a compute module, it’s a great idea.

Yes, but how will you cool it?