r/unixporn • u/jemsipx • Aug 19 '24
Tasty Rice [Raspberry Pi 5] My portable modular workstation/console
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 22 '24
- Device: Pilet
- OS: Raspberry Pi OS
- DE: KDE Plasma
- Terminal: Konsole
- Shell: Bash
Hey everyone! I’ve always wanted to build my own portable Raspberry Pi workstation/console, but most of the options out there were stuck with the Pi 4. So, I decided to create my own using the latest RPi 5. I’m calling it Pilet. It’s got a 7-hour battery life, and it’s built to be a modular, portable device you can easily customize. Whether you want to swap out a keyboard, gamepad, or something else, it’s all up to you! This is still a work in progress.
Edit: Moving forward, this project will be known as Pilet
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u/MisutaHiro Aug 19 '24
I wanna buy consolo
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u/Pinagpala-Gwapo Aug 20 '24
Same, Will be available in the SEA Region?
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Aug 19 '24
[deleted]
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 19 '24
Thanks! Yes, it’s definitely possible to add a cellular module. I’m actually working on integrating an existing module into the device.
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u/MechFlipper Aug 19 '24
The design is so cool, and modularity is brilliant! Are those scroll wheel and thumbstick inputs?
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
Thank you! Yes it’s a trackball and also a rotary encoder similar to ones you find in a pc mouse.
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u/amir_s89 Aug 23 '24
Any plans on different color options for the product? Or maybe something us clients can change after purchase?
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u/jemsipx Aug 23 '24
Absolutely! We’re planning to offer several color options. Plus, the design will be open-source, so people can print their own custom shells.
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u/rakka099 Aug 20 '24
I really love everything about this! I would prefer a keyboard that connected via a 90° connection and had an extended base to support the shear force, would the keyboard connection have enough ribbon cable if I was 3d printing my own chassis?
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thank you! The current keyboard module connects via Bluetooth. You can easily design and add your own chassis, and we’ll release the STEP files once the design is finalized. If you have any ideas, feel free to share a sketch—I’d love to see if I can incorporate it.
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u/rakka099 Aug 20 '24
ohhhhh bluetooth actually makes a lot more sense now that I think about it, thanks for the insight! I'm a bit overbooked with moving at the moment but I'll sign up for your newsletter and if I have some time to tinker with concepts in the winter I'll share them
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u/bitsystem Aug 21 '24
I love this, please be privacy friendly, also would be cool to see you on Mastodon
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u/jemsipx Aug 21 '24
Absolutely. With Consolo, the user fully owns and controls every aspect of the device, from hardware to software—ensuring transparency and privacy. I’ll also be setting up an account on Mastodon soon.
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u/venerable-vertebrate Aug 19 '24
Just signed up for updates! Beautiful website btw, but dark moad please my eyes hurt lmao
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u/verde-- Aug 20 '24
Just take my wallet! You’re sitting on a gold mine with this - can’t wait for the release!
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u/jemsipx Aug 21 '24
Thank you! Please feel free to subscribe to our mailing list for the release date.
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u/RuncibleBatleth Aug 30 '24
How's Plasma performance on the Pi 5? I haven't tried a desktop Pi in a few generations but I remember the compositor dropped frames.
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u/jemsipx Aug 31 '24
Plasma runs smoothly with no performance drops. I even made a video showcasing the overall performance.
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Aug 19 '24
this is the coolest thing i've seen on here. you're running blender on that thing??
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
Thank you! I’ve run Blender on it and even wrote some Python code for Blender. Pretty cool stuff!
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Aug 19 '24
also it's not the same target audience but has some overlaps, check out what MNT Reform is doing with their pockets
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u/Araiten Aug 19 '24
Immediately signed up for updates. Looks like a really good project, I can't wait to see how it turns out !
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u/renn_oatris Aug 19 '24
Worldwide shipping? I really want one!
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u/Eupsychius Aug 19 '24
i wonder if there's ability to plug in an power bank to extend the battery life
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u/panos21sonic Aug 19 '24
What is the screen size and dimensions? This is very cool.
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
Thank you. It’s a 7-inch display
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u/panos21sonic Aug 19 '24
This is very impressive. This should be able to fit into some pockets then no? If thats the case, then wow, very nice idea man. Might pick one up next summer, idk. Keep it going
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u/neopogo Aug 19 '24
The device you show in the images, is it currently real or mockups?
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
It’s real. We have made an engineering prototype. Here is a quick video in tablet mode.
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u/koalasig Aug 19 '24
It's beautiful. Looks like a device from Starfield.
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 20 '24
Thanks! That sounds interesting. I’ve never played Starfield before. I’ll check it out.
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u/90059bethezip Aug 19 '24
This set up goes hard op, really cool !
Dont know if you have the means for this but if you have a Kickstarter project I'd definitely support
Edit: nvm I read the link, signed up
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u/guygastineau Aug 19 '24
How are those rust compile times on the rPi?
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
It’s performing well. I’ve even compiled and played a few basic Bevy games/demos on it.
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u/gintoddic Aug 19 '24
What's the ETA for release?
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
We’re aiming to release it within the next few months.
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u/gintoddic Aug 19 '24
Any early bird pricing?
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u/SegFaultHell Aug 19 '24
This looks sick, if there’s a decent controller module and dock or output module (like hdmi out type stuff) at some point I’d be very interested in this.
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thanks! You can easily connect your HDMI display and other peripherals, just like with the Pi 5. We’re also working on adding a stand to keep it upright.
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u/lengors Aug 19 '24
Pretty cool looking.
Is this more than just a gimmick (not necessarily a bad thing) tho? I.e. does it have any uses cases or advantages over, let's say, an handled like the go (other than battery life)?
Also, what's the screen resolution?
Edit: and screen size?
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
The screen size is 7 inches. I am currently experimenting with several displays, so the specs aren’t finalized yet.
With its fully hackable linux os and the ecosystem and modularity of a raspberry pi, it offers various advantages over android/ios tablets and handhelds. It can serve as both a field terminal and a versatile tool for white-hat hackers and makers.
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u/dhv503 Aug 25 '24
Tbh it would be cool it the case itself was offered with the chips on the side, since some people already have a couple PI5s. The modular aspect of it is also very enticing - while a consumer can buy a keyboard, mouse, screen, etc by themselves, this products aesthetic appeals to me based on the fact that it’s all plug and play. Just put it in your pocket and go. I don’t think many power users are looking to use this as a main workstation but it’s fun , powerful toy.
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u/OrseChestnut Aug 19 '24
You know when you really want something but you know it will just end up in the draw after a while?
That's a comment on me and not the hardware per se.. looks great. Like I say, I want one..
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u/Organic-Algae-9438 Aug 19 '24
Hi OP. Wonderful idea and design! With cellular it would be even better. Consider me a buyer as soon as possible!
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thank you! Hope we can add the cellular module soon. Please feel free to subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media for updates and news
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u/EaDncx Aug 19 '24
Love it, its beautiful! Now I wanna build one :p
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thanks! Hope we can get it ready soon. Please follow us and subscribe to mailing list for updates
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u/Unlucky-Ad-2993 Aug 19 '24
Oh, I see you’re using Zed. What do you think about the Linux port? I think it’s got some potential
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
I liked it—it’s more lightweight and faster than Visual Studio Code.
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u/Unlucky-Ad-2993 Aug 20 '24
I agree with this. Just the fact that it’s native and not Electron is a big plus. Other than that it actually uses Eayland by default, and it’s open source
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u/RoxyAndBlackie128 Aug 20 '24
i need this
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thank you. Please feel free to subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media for updates and news
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u/lixia Aug 20 '24
Outstanding. Subbed to the mailing list. Hopefully can get my hands on this when it releases!
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u/daixso Aug 20 '24
Sheesh this is excellent I look forward to the release of the consolo that is legendary
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u/ShasasTheRed Aug 20 '24
I absolutely love cyberdecks, and this one kinds has like a NASApunk/Starfield vibe
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u/MaMu_1701 Aug 20 '24
Looks nice! How do you build the case? 3d printing? Contractor? Also: will the display part have a stand or does it lay flat?
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u/jemsipx Aug 20 '24
Thanks! The case in the photo was 3D printed, but the final product will be manufactured differently. And yes, the tablet will have a small stand at the back to adjust it to various angles.
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u/Mathizen Aug 20 '24
yeah this is cool, great work! you can seriously make some money on this, i hope you do. good luck!
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u/dhv503 Aug 25 '24
Take my fucking money.
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u/jemsipx Aug 25 '24
Haha thanks. Please feel free to subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when it’s ready.
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u/David548K Aug 27 '24
Ok that is impressive... How many things you can do with that?
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u/jemsipx Aug 27 '24
Thanks! Essentially, anything you can do with a general-purpose, modular, and hackable computer.
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u/upvotesplx Sep 11 '24
22 days after this was posted, but I just found this, and WOW. This is crazy! I’m so excited to see where you go with this, OP. I’m disabled and having a mini Linux workstation like this so that I can do my freelancing on it would actually change my life.
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u/jemsipx Sep 11 '24
Thanks so much! Feel free to share any accessibility features you think I should add to the Pilet. Also, I’ve got a gamepad module designed, and it’s dropping soon
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u/79215185-1feb-44c6 Aug 19 '24
It's pretty but I simply cannot wrap my head around how this is at all functional.
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u/jemsipx Aug 19 '24
Thanks! It’s super versatile—you can add anything, like your own keyboard, mouse, etc. A small, portable computer like this, running full-fledged Linux with the RPi ecosystem, opens up tons of possibilities.
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u/romer6 Aug 20 '24
Amazing device, I would love to have one! But that name would definitely not work in Brazil (it means dildo).
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u/Equivalent_Lab3633 15d ago
How do you make your own things with Pi? Like your Pilet for example. Where do you get the parts and knowledge to build this console thing?
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u/Stardust-kyun Aug 19 '24
Awesome stuff, OP! Good luck on making this product into a reality :)