(I’ve changed the topic so ignore the steam punk reference below)
Folks, I am thinking about making a portable RasPi computer in a box project.
Basically from the outside it looks like any old innocuous box.
Then part of it opens (like a case/port/bag) and you see the display and keyboard - oh, and the obligatory mouse. (USB)
Self powered - but rechargeable via USB-C.
Ok, STEAM PUNK may not be the best description, but I’m open to that theme too.
(Actually I will edit the topic - done - to maybe better reflect what I’m wanting.)
So I’m stuck at the get go as I don’t know if such a case exists.
Yes, I could make one - push coming to shove - but that kind of has it’s own set of problems.
Some of the specifications:
Pi 5 so it can actually do work.
Self contained battery to power it for a fairly good time - few hours.
Self contained display. (Touch screen probably) But not visible all the time.
Self contained keyboard - usb, small and stored in the box when not in use.
USB jacks for Mouse (part of the deal) and USB memory sticks.
WiFI
BT-LE
Ethernet
External charging
I don’t want it teeny tiny but also don’t want it to be huge.
Briefcase size - maybe as a good starting point.
Then the screen is on/in one half, and the keyboard/mouse are STORED in the bottom part along with (maybe) the battery and Pi.
Though the Pi could be in the top part behind the display too.
All work in progress at this stage.
Suggest this as the Battery supply, from my experience it works really well but not cheap. Makes for a nice compact Pi5 active cooler and battery pack. The charging management is all done for you on the board. I did have an issue with the pogo pins miss aligning, careful connection of the Pi to the battery pack fixed it. Keeps the Pi running for quite a few hours in idle mode.
Andrew over the years there have been so very many portable Raspberry Pi projects, including commercially produced RasPi-based laptop computers and even built into a wooden briefcase. I expect there are also 3D printable case designs available.
Since you’re thinking Raspberry Pi, I suggest you have a look through the Raspberry Pi website, particularly their news and forums, and the Raspberry Pi magazine (back issues can be downloaded free) including the “Raspberry Pi Cluster Briefcase” article in issue 153.
Or, to put it another way, everything you mentioned is feasible .. in fact it’s more a case of assembling existing components.
The challenge then is to decide your requirements, investigate the options for each component, get creative with the available options (and budget), and have fun.
Oh, and do let us know how you go … maybe even an article or video ?
Hey @Andrew41918, there are plenty of 3-D Printed Case Designs for the Raspberry Pi on cults3d.com. While they don’t look like they have exactly what you’re after, they do have a lot of good designs that could be integrated into the briefcase idea.
Although I like @James46717’s suggestion of using the UPS HAT, I wouldn’t use LiPo batteries in a wooden case. The Pi might be a very fire risk but LiPo batteries are volatile. I really would recommend an external power source if you go down the wooden case route.
Yes, a full-size keyboard with numeric keypad and cursor keys would be too wide … but there are narrower options with full-size qwerty layout but without numeric keypad and/or cursor keys There are also compact keyboards with bluetooth (for connecting to tablets, tvs or media centres) … even down to Miniature Wireless 2.4GHz USB Keyboard with Touchpad at a mere 152mm x 59mm x 12.5mm !
The other question is how to connect - most keyboards these days are wireless or bluetooth … which I assume means they have separate batteries you will need to replace from time to time.
If you don’t already have a RasPi, you might consider the RasPi 400 or 500 - combine most of the bits in one unit … but at a cost.
As for mouse … maybe consider a trackpad.
I agree with Jane’s concern about operating a device with LiPo battery in an enclosed flamable space … but I assume you will only be using it while the lid is open (and so it has ventilation) - so maybe it is manageable.
Having to plug your suitcase into an external power source will restrict its portability. On the other hand, if portability is important then battery life (and a so large battery capacity) will be a major concern, and you will have to think hard about how long you will need the battery to keep it running. A UPS is intended to cover short periods of mains blackouts - maybe quarter to half an hour - not for extended use.
Always the hardest part so many options and possible combinations each with advantages and disadvantages.
On one hand we can just dive in and work it out as we go .. with potential backtracking because of unanticipated problems costing time and money … but lots of learning along the way.
Or we can analyse the project to death … my preferred approach
Touch screens are good, but may not give fine control (or maybe that’s my big fingers), and not so many larger options. Mouse requires desk real estate. FYI, a couple of years ago I bought a Rii i25 air mouse for my media centre; but probably overkill for your application
Good luck with the instructoring … though I am sure you wont need any luck.
Ok, just keeping an open mind - and maybe a bit off topic in some ways, but it is to do with “That goes in the box”…
So, ok, I’m asking about the BOX to put the machine in.
Just noticed the Pi 500+
It is an entire machine except the display.
(Yeah, ok and mouse.)
I’ll look at the specs and see if I can find any information there, but playing SOD’s law, I’ll ask here too.
How easy would it be to put a touch screen on it - say SKU: CE07793
Or the “older” raspi touch screens with the flat ribbon cable?
(You used to sell them but they aren’t showing up any more)
(Weird how I find it after posting)
(Third edit)
I’m looking and I get that it isn’t out and all that.
What’s the machine’s specs? CPU? Pi, or one of these new ones? (ie: It won’t be a Pi5 or anything like that)
Memory?
I’m actually in a special position to answer this question as I resolved it for my own project last night.
The Pi 500+ cannot connect to any Touchscreen that requires a ribbon cable. It entirely lacks the MIDI DSI ports required to make it work. In its place are two micro HDMI ports.
After much, much searching to see if there was a way to convert a HDMI port to a MIDI DSI, I can say confidently that there realistically isn’t. I have seen some Hackaday projects where someone has crafted one, but it involved a lot of decoding the signals sent through MIDI DSI ports and crafting a converter. Basically, borderline impossible for the average maker.
The correct workaround would be to buy a Portable Screen with a HDMI port that you can power from the Pi 500+.
Although not what I would like to hear: the truth is the truth.
So as the monitor/display has to be HDMI, is/are there any displays that would come to mind?
I’m only asking because I would hope you would have better exposure to what’s available for it than I do.
Not that I’m shirking the onus to you. You may know of options.
But in saying that, I’m guessing if there were, you would have mentioned them.
That is the second forum post today I posted before I had finished. I need to make sure I never skip my morning coffee again…
Anyway, yes, there are options. I’ve not been able to find one with touch screen (as far as I am aware, HDMI can’t carry the signals), but two come to mind.
There are also compact keyboards with bluetooth (for connecting to tablets, tvs or media centres) … even down to 
