PocketPi Is Exactly What It Sounds Like

The Raspberry Pi line of single-board computers are remarkably useful things, but they generally require some accessories to be hooked up to become a useful computing platform. [Ramin Assadollahi] wanted a pocket-sized computer to work on without the distractions so common on smartphones, so whipped up the PocketPi to do the job.

It’s a testament to the popularity of the Raspberry Pi platform that [Ramin] was able to put this project together with so many off-the-shelf parts. A Pi Zero W was chosen for its compact size, while a HyperPixel 4.0 screen was chosen for its high resolution in a small package. These parts were combined with a 3000 mAh battery, Adafruit Powerboost 1000C and a small USB keyboard and hub. It’s all wrapped up in a tidy 3D printed package, giving the pocket-sized computer a classic late-1980s look, albeit with much more horsepower under the hood.

It looks like a fun and useful machine to have when out and about, and the full QWERTY keyboard makes input easy. We’ve seen [Ramin]’s work before – with last year’s StickPi implementing an e-paper display. Video after the break.

39 thoughts on “PocketPi Is Exactly What It Sounds Like

          1. Yes, Naval. Security was fine with it. It was lying next to the Switch and the tablet of my sons. (This is why the print looks so crappy: I printed the last version before holidays the night before flying…)

  1. All these raspi tablets and laptop builds coming out recently. They look like fun, I think I’d better start collecting ideas like this. Kinda reminds me of those old Toughbook tablets, like the CF-H1.

  2. Unlike most devices of its type, I can think of practical uses for this one, especially with a slightly wider screen. The clamshell design model is overrated for small stuff like this,.

    1. I have to disagree about the clamshell design. It’s not overrated, it’s just under-implemented.

      All the Pi clamshells I have seen are missing an important feature. They don’t twist. The first one I saw to do this right was the later Sharp Zaurus models. The screen is touch and it can be twisted around and folded back over the keyboard making it just like a small tablet or a cellphone.

      https://www.zdnet.com/product/sharp-zaurus-sl-c860/

      1. i would assume that the flat cable would break after twisting a couple of times. i have been thinking about a hinge that le’s you fold the display 180 degrees and then switch off the keyboard (on the pocketpi, you can also switch off the keyboard).

      2. Speaking of Sharp’s, the best form factor I ever saw for a pocket computer was the Zaurus SL-5500. I had one and absolutely loved it. I wonder if I could figure out a way to make a case like that for my phone that included a keyboard…

  3. love the project!!!
    I would like an rpi phone but nobody thought to create a graphical interface usable on debian …
    using android becomes more and more a nuisance

  4. Back in the late 1990’s I was a Field Technician for a company called Technology Service and Solutions owned by IBM and Kodak and we used Motorola brick like this (slightly older tho) http://www.vatortrader.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4694

    which were replaced by a clamshell device from a company called Research In Motion (see below) and this , in a sense, is a spiritual successor

    https://assets.sbnation.com/assets/961756/pager-300.jpeg

  5. I want a flat tablet with split qwerty keyboard device to pull out of my bag fire up and Tinker on. My hurdles to start this project are building a USB battery bank bms that reports like a ups to the pi and a circuit for current monitoring on the fly to like tell me if I hooked other crap to it wrong etc.

      1. Might just tackle his Project with a latte panda since I grabbed all the good bits from the Kickstart project. Case lcd and such. Just gotta diy a windows compatible ups diy solution

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