The web is full of projects to turn the Raspberry Pi into a desktop or laptop computer. Some have a certain official profile, and others dive headfirst into DIY, but despite similarities in hardware, construction details make a big difference. Today we come across a mini laptop from Adafruit that uses a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3, and whose case reminds us of the first portable systems like the Osborne 1 and the Kaypro II.
A Legacy of Portability
History tells us that the Compaq Portable debuted in March 1983, priced at $2,995 and weighing 13 kilograms. IBM responded a year later with its 5155 Model 68, but both followed the trend set by the Osborne 1 in April 1981. Today, laptops seem like sheets of paper. Manufacturers use aluminum (and a lot of glue) to ensure product integrity, and in the process sacrifice any possibility of service or maintenance. Obviously, I don't intend to return to computers as heavy as a sewing machine, but perhaps we should take some design cues, and there's no better way than to pour them into a DIY project.
The Build
The folks at Adafruit published this tutorial to install a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 in a "miniature version" of the old portable computers. The content is hardly new, but the availability of parts hasn't changed. It all starts with a 3.5-inch PiTFT screen, a PowerBoost 1000C module or equivalent, speaker, amplifier, battery, a compact Bluetooth keyboard, various screws, and access to a 3D printer to print the case. The case pieces total seven, and apparently there are no restrictions on material type, whether ABS, PLA, or more exotic solutions like bamboo or metal.
The circuit is very easy to follow, and shouldn't give problems even if you lack soldering practice. As for cost, if we buy through Adafruit it's not hard to exceed $150, so it all depends on how economical the parts are locally.
