Handheld Pocket-Size Pi Terminal Offers Neat Functionality
In the realm of DIY handheld terminals, a standout project is the one created by Random Alley Cat, featuring a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W at its heart. This device, boasting a custom 3D-printed case, offers a professional and tidy handheld terminal that addresses a common challenge - cable management.
The design of this handheld terminal is ingenious. It employs a dedicated chassis to hold all the parts securely, allowing the outer case to focus on protection and aesthetics. This separation results in a much cleaner and more manageable internal layout. The screen used is a Pimoroni Hyperpixel, the keyboard comes from an Xbox 360 accessory, and power is supplied by an off-the-shelf Pi UPS board and battery. The design also includes access ports on the underside for the Pi, effective ventilation holes, and detailed external case features to improve usability and cooling.
Unlike some handheld cyberdecks, this device does not run Linux. However, despite some imperfections, it is user-friendly enough to be considered practical.
This approach to cable management contrasts with earlier designs where case and component housing were combined, complicating cable management and internal layout. For instance, the AllScan UCI90 portable node, another Raspberry Pi Zero 2W project, temporarily tapes parts together and does not emphasize cable management as much as the 3D-printed handheld terminal.
In essence, this project demonstrates how a custom chassis design with internal part organization, coupled with a separate outer case, can effectively solve the persistent challenge of cable management in compact handheld Raspberry Pi Zero 2W terminals. A tip about handheld cyberdecks was provided by Sysop, highlighting the existence of such devices beyond those running Linux.
[1] Random Alley Cat's Handheld Terminal Project: A Solution to Cable Management Challenges. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.randomalleycat.com/handheld-terminal-project [2] AllScan UCI90 Portable Node with Speaker-Mics. (2021). Retrieved from https://allscan.com/products/uci90-portable-node-with-speaker-mics
- The Random Alley Cat's handheld terminal, powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, stands out in the smart-home-devices and gadgets community due to its thoughtful use of technology, such as a custom chassis to improve cable management and internal organization, which is a distinct departure from other projects like the AllScan UCI90 portable node.
- While the Random Alley Cat's handheld terminal does not operate on Linux, it showcases an expanding field of user-friendly handheld devices, like the aforementioned smart-home-devices and gadgets, that leverages Raspberry Pi technology to bridge the gap between traditional computers and more specialized devices, as suggested by Sysop.
