One of the best aspects of hardware miniaturization is that we can now install a computer almost anywhere. We recently talked about placing a Raspberry Pi inside a keyboard, but this time someone has decided to incorporate an ODROID-W board into a wall USB charger, so you just need to plug it into a power outlet for it to start working.
After spending several hours optimizing its configuration and installing patches, my old "BitTorrent box" has finally returned from the darkness. It is not a racehorse, but its average consumption is just 13 watts, so the lamp on my desk consumes more energy.
SBCs and the ODROID-W
Taking on the role of a BitTorrent box is one of the many things that new compact computers can do, also known as SBCs. At the top of the list is the Raspberry Pi, thanks to its broad compatibility and reasonable prices, but we have also come across very interesting alternatives, such as the ODROID-W. In essence, the ODROID-W offers 100 percent compatibility with software created for the Raspberry Pi, in a surface of 6 by 3.6 centimeters.
Building the Charger PC
The role of such a computer is defined by the software, but we cannot ignore the power source. The NODE team decided to solve this by installing the ODROID-W inside a wall USB charger, with adapters for use in the US, UK, and the rest of Europe. Before beginning the surgery, the computer must have the corresponding microSD card, a WiFi module compatible with Raspberry Pi, and an operating system like Raspbian. The ODROID-W is not perfect and requires some modifications to be completely stable, but it is not a complex task. Once all connections are made, the USB charger cannot be closed as before, which means covering the gaps and adding reinforcements to the casing.
Power and a Sad Ending
I am sure our readers will find larger USB chargers, but the general parameter to follow is around 5V at 1.5A. The only major problem behind this project is that the ODROID-W has been officially discontinued. A series of conflicts with the main supplier limited the stock of the ODROID-W to the units available today, and once they run out, the ODROID-W will not return. At that point, it is likely that many enthusiasts will prefer to directly modify a Raspberry Pi and create a custom case for it.
Official site: NODE
