Raspberry Pi Zero All-in-One PC/Keyboard Combo (Just an Idea)

[njbair]

Hey, so I was looking at my Raspberry Pi Zero, and thinking about building a 60% keyboard case with a spot to mount one inside, so you could have a totally portable PC/keyboard combo.

Something like this:



That top pocket could house the Raspberry Pi. The keyboard matrix would not have a hardware controller, but rather the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins would connect directly to the matrix via ribbon cable (or direct wire to the switches if I end up going without a PCB).

There are a few projects out there that are designed to poll input via GPIO, which can be used for things like arcade buttons and joysticks, etc. For example: https://github.com/mmoller2k/pikeyd (it's old but looks pretty good as a starting point).

What do you guys think?

[suicidal_orange]

It's certainly possible, not sure you'd want the Pi exposed like that though.  Go for it

edit: actually, would the Pi keep up with your typing while running a full OS? Maybe with a realtime kernel... I think you should try it before buying the custom case.

[njbair]

It's certainly possible, not sure you'd want the Pi exposed like that though.  Go for it

edit: actually, would the Pi keep up with your typing while running a full OS? Maybe with a realtime kernel... I think you should try it before buying the custom case.

I would definitely start with the electronics first. The GitHub project I linked to claims to be able to poll GPIO for input fast enough for video game emulators, while using only about 1% CPU... If that's true it should be totally doable.

And I was also thinking about covering the Pi with a piece of Lexan or something... I just didn't take the time to draw that part yet.

[jd29]

I like this idea. You mean to use the Pi as a full-blown portable computer?

The Pi doesn't make a good desktop device. It's at home doing more integrated tasks. If you don't mind extending the bezel by about 30mm, a more powerful SBC up there would give you a much more comfortable and capable experience. Actually, I'd put it on the left side.

But if you're happy with the performance, go for it! With all that extra space in your current design, though, you could add a small LCD, maybe break out the IO. I think you could route a USB hub to the back.

[piemancoder]

This is an idea that I had too, but I was also thinking about using a Raspberry pi 2 or a Model A. I was considering the Zero too, but I'm not sure if it's powerful enough. I know for sure that the 2 is, but I'm also not sure about the A(+).

I was looking at my Raspberry Pi Zero

One day I'll be able to say that.

[mrbishop]

i like where your going with this. would be really fun to have it plug in like an SNES cartage vertically.

and make it an SNES emulator.  )