The idea of placing computers or consoles inside accessories and peripherals is nothing new. A quick online search reveals dozens of examples of joysticks and gamepads that connect directly to the TV, but in early 2019 we talked about The «Computer» Mouse, a computer inside a mouse. Its original creator, now under the YouTube channel Electo, returned to this concept last September and created some completely out-of-control prototypes...
The Mini PC market is going through one of its best moments, and the same can be said about consoles trying to compete with the Steam Deck. That means we can now store decent hardware in a very small volume, the best combination for any DIY enthusiast. Now, what is the limit? At what point do we enter the territory of the absurd? Nobody knows for sure, but Electo on YouTube (formerly Electronic Grenade) definitely visited it with his new prototypes of the «Computer» Mouse, a computer installed inside a mouse.
The «Computer» Mouse: The Sequel
The first model is nothing more than a giant 3D-printed mouse, with an Intel Skull Canyon computer inside (or Hades Canyon, perhaps?), a 5-inch LCD screen, and a laser keyboard. The computer ended up failing completely (Electo blames the battery), and after replacing it, he reminded us why laser keyboards were left forgotten in the darkest corner (from which they should never come out).
For the second model, he decided to change his strategy (in addition to using another Mini PC) and turn the «Computer» Mouse into a computer, mouse, and keyboard at the same time. The battery was left behind after the previous incident, and as a replacement for the LCD panel, he installed a projector that somehow survived the surgery.
The latest version returned to the original format, but now features a “custom keyboard” based on a Pro Micro (or one of its 17 million clones), and an even more compact Mini PC than before. As expected, any attempt to run Minecraft is a lag fest, but it works much better via streaming. To finish, Electo never solved the cooling issues... and honestly, I think he never intended to.
Electo on YouTube: Click here. Source: Hackaday.
