Handheld Gameboy style full Linux computer, like Clockwork Pi, but with a Blackberry keyboard/mouse, and nothing proprietary!
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BlackBerry_Pi_STL.zipHere are the STL's for printing your own! If desired, a STEP file is available for my Patreon's - https://www.patreon.com/posts/blackberry-pi-104265585Zip Archive - 247.66 kB - 05/15/2024 at 00:27 |
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this morning started with soldering the usb cable to the Pi, and what a headache that was! Turns out the usb cable I was using had data lines in it, but they weren’t terminated at the usbc and… cheap nasty cable. So I had to do it all again. But I got the keyboard talking to the Pi, bypassing the physical usb port.
Next was spot welding a little 1s3p 18650 pack, and replacing the big lipo pouch that the power bank originally had. These are 3000mah cells, so I have 9000mah total - pretty nice!
I once again had to remove the usb ports on the power bank board, and solder a chopped usbc cable on, but I like that the back can be removed, unplugged, and the pi can be powered externally (I already had to use this feature to hook up an external monitor to get Kali Linux working on the Pimaroni screen)
The board + batteries JUST fit! And it’s nice to have USBC fast charging.
Annoyingly this board cuts the output when I’m charging it, so it’s unable to boot the pi when plugged into USBC - which is not ideal. So I might revisit the charging board.
I do however really like the battery percentage display, that fits though the case. It’s a bit too bright, but a bit of Smokey acrylic might help that in the future.
It’s running Kali Linux on a 32gb card at the moment - and does exactly what I had in mind! So far battery life seems to be excellent.
I’ll make some qol updates and probably reprint the case in a nicer material next!
Edit: If anyone is replicating this project, getting the Hyperpixel to work with Kali requires another step - I hooked it up to an HDMI screen and ran the following command
curl -sSL get.pimoroni.com/hyperpixel4-legacy | bash
And in the config chose my Pi type and Screen (square vs rectange)
rebooted and it worked! This link might have more info if that doesnt work for you.
My keyboard arrived yesterday! I wasted no time pulling it apart, making a few changes to my case model, and printing a new revision.
The Pi+Hyperpixel screen assembly fits great. It drops in from the front and secures from the back, and then a bezel (not pictured) will attach to the front.
The keyboard is great - and the mouse works better than I expected! Very easy to get around a full desktop environment - Plasma feels great, even at 720x720!
At the moment, the keyboard is plugged into a USB Port on the outside, but my plan is to directly solder the USB cable to the pins, and print a little "USB blank" to close up the port that will be used for the keyboard/mouse.
So far it's on track to need no software - meaning you can install anything you want on the Pi, as long as the Hyperpixel is supported. No software needed at all - it's all plug and play.
Next step is the front bezel, back cover, battery, wiring and power button.
Stay tuned!
This has actually been a long time coming! I built a CinePi cinema camera last year, and although it's great - I dont actually need / enjoy working with cinema footage... so I decided to use the incredible Hyperpixel screen, and the best Pi in my collection (Pi 4, 8gb) to make a handheld Linux PC. Excellent for portable Pen Testing with Kali, or doing anything! Mainly though, I just think it's cool.
The keyboard has always been what's held me back though. I was going to design a PCB with a heap of tactile buttons, kinda like in the Armachat devices - but they dont look nice to type on, and it still leaves the question of a mouse open.
When I saw this Blackberry breakout keyboard with a mouse built in - I knew it was destiny! I ordered one, and grabbed the STL files from ZitaoTech's Github, reverse engineered them into a solid body (best Fusion 360 feature ever...) and then designed a case that holds the Pi and the Hyperpixel screen.
I should be able to transfer the keyboard into my new frontplate, and use the original backplate. Hoping that I can use it as a USB device without the battery.
A chopped USB cable soldered directly to the USB pins on the pi will take care of connectivity - and that's my mouse and keyboard sorted!
https://www.tindie.com/products/zitaotech/blackberry-q10-bleusb-keyboard/
The case is still very much a work in progress, but a large 10,000mah pouch lipo will be integrated into the back part of the case.
It will be a bit thick - but I love the idea of lots of battery life... I'm using the power bank's button to power it on an off, and I'll reroute the power bank battery % display somewhere to keep an eye on that. I could possibly integrate it with software, but that seems hard. And a physical battery display visible from the outside (similar to early MacBook Pro's that had that little button) will be cooooool!
The bottom case of the keyboard is the original mesh here, while the top part is integrated into the rest of the case
Once the case is finalised, I'll aim to machine parts from aluminium and print parts via HP Multijet Fusion from PCBWay (similar to my Cyberpunk Baofeng Radio project)
Just waiting for the Keyboard to arrive, and I'll post an update when it's more assembled!
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I agree with you; Taylor Hay's article is fascinating and showcases an ingenious project of building a custom handheld PC using a Raspberry Pi, inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic and the practicality of Linux. The combination of the BlackBerry Q10 keyboard, the HyperPixel 4.0 screen, and a 10,000mAh battery is brilliant. Additionally, the practical tips and solutions Taylor offers are invaluable resources for other enthusiasts.
Taylor Hay's Project, which aims to build a handheld computer with a Raspberry Pi, is a clear example of effective functionality. With components such as the HyperPixel screen and the Blackberry Q10 keyboard, and a high-capacity battery, it focuses on maximizing the usability and autonomy of the device. Despite some minor issues, such as power interruption during charging, the project demonstrates high reliability and robustness thanks to the implemented solutions.
The device's design is user-friendly, with an integrated keyboard and mouse in a compact format, and the choice of Kali Linux suggests a focus on advanced users. The detailed documentation of the building process facilitates replication and modification by other users, showing a commitment to the community. The project successfully creates a portable and practical device capable of running a full desktop environment in a small size, which is a remarkable achievement.
Taylor Hay's project impressively combines engineering and design, following the Dromey methodology. Despite some minor challenges, the creation of a Raspberry Pi-based handheld computer that is functional, reliable, and easy to use demonstrates a high level of technical competence and creativity, offering a valuable resource for the tech community.
In the following link, you can find more documentation about the Dromey methodology. It is a document in Spanish that discusses more about the Dromey methodology: [Link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11yiAXpsPKpS42Du4ofpHOy0wYUP0Noql/view?usp=sharing)
Your analysis is very interesting. I agree that Taylor Hay's project is an excellent example of functionality and design in a portable device. The integration of the HyperPixel display and the Blackberry Q10 keyboard, along with a high-capacity battery, demonstrates a very practical approach. Although I think there are some minor issues, the sturdiness and ease of use of the device are notable. Additionally, detailed documentation makes it easy to replicate, which is a huge benefit for the tech community. Without a doubt a very accurate comment and a very innovative and ingenious project.
Hi, is it possible to get the design file!! I was looking one of this so long,
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Is it possible at all to make the STL for the case available? This project looks PERFECT. I was very interested in the ClockworkPi handheld, but have the same concerns. This project is exactly the kind of device I've been trying to find/build.
Any chance we can get the STL file you used? I might do something a bit bigger/different and it would really save a ton of time not having to remake the keyboard part! Thanks!!!
Wait NM I just found the originals in ZitaoTech's repo!!
Good work! He's been super helpful. I just uploaded STL's on here as well if needed! 👍🏼
Absolutely! Blackberry Keyboards are $1usd on Aliexpress, you just need to roll the board and key matrix PCB, and figure out a trackball mouse. I reckon the $40 or so for that all being done is a bargain though!
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Taylor Hay's article provides a very interesting and detailed project on building a custom handheld PC using a Raspberry Pi, inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic and practicality of Linux. Taylor's passion for portable devices and open source platforms is evident as he embarks on a complicated project to create a functional and easy-to-use handheld PC. The project takes advantage of the BlackBerry Q10 keyboard and square HyperPixel 4.0 touchscreen, combining them with a Raspberry Pi 4 and a 10,000mAh battery to ensure long-lasting usability.
Taylor's idea is very attractive and useful for technology enthusiasts, detailing both the successes and challenges faced during the construction process. The troubleshooting aspect, such as dealing with faulty USB cables and the complexities of integrating the power bank with the Pi, adds a realistic and relatable dimension to the project. Additionally, Taylor provides us with practical tips and solutions, including specific commands for making the HyperPixel display work with Kali Linux, which is a valuable resource for others attempting similar projects.
The documentation Taylor presents is very comprehensive, with clear project records and a step-by-step breakdown of components and their assembly. This transparency not only shows Taylor's experience, but also encourages and helps other enthusiasts to replicate the project.
In conclusion I would say that Taylor Hay's article is an example of the creativity and technical skill that can be applied to different projects, offering a combination of inspiration and practical guidance for technology enthusiasts who want to carry out similar projects, without a doubt a sample of the quality applied in a very ingenious project.
As a special mention I can only add the Dromey quality model Guide Document that is presented through the following URL:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11yiAXpsPKpS42Du4ofpHOy0wYUP0Noql/view?usp=sharing
It is important to mention that this document is in the Spanish language.