This Raspberry Pi-powered Linux computer comes with a keyboard and display built into a phone-sized case
The Raspberry Pi Zero W was launched at the end of February 2017 with all functionalities of the original Pi Zero along with added connectivity, such as 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.1 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Now, a maker who goes by the name โNodeโ has built a homemade project called the โZero Terminalโ, wherein he has converted the Pi Zero W into a phone-sized computer with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen display. The aim to build this project is to develop a small, all-in-one computer that is both portable, and usable.
The basis of the Zero Terminal is the Pi Zero W, and an iPhone 5 sliding keyboard case. Instead of using the default phone OS, Node uses the Linux-based system, Raspbian in the Zero Terminal to run a full desktop.
The Zero Terminal is powered by a rechargeable 1,500mAh battery. It has a full sized USB port, and a mini HDMI port, which also can be used to connect the Zero Terminal to a monitor and mouse. Further, it also includes a micro USB port for charging, below which there is a micro SD card slot. The switch to turn the device on is hidden in the camera hole of the case. While the phone case of the Zero Terminal is 3D printed, Node has plans to release the 3D files once he has finished refining the design of the chassis.
On the down side, the specifications of Zero makes it better suited for easy tasks such as coding, word processing or running old games in emulators, working in the command line, rather than using the web browser and other desktop programs.
However, Node has plans to build an alternate model of the Terminal, which will include a slightly larger and powerful Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, which can run a desktop OS reasonably comfortably along with a bigger battery.
Letโs have a look at the features in a glance:
3.5″ Screen (480×320)
512MB RAM
1GHz, 32-bit single-core ARM-based Broadcom BCM2835 CPU
Full QWERTY Keyboard
1,500mAh Battery
Micro SD Slot
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.0
Mini HDMI Out
1xUSB Port
Micro USB charging port
If the above concept has interested you and you fancy yourself building your own version, then click here to get started for more information.