Accessory Idea: Keyboard hub

[Jayson]

Not sure if this has been suggested but here’s an idea a keyboard which you slot the raspberry pi into from underneath and secure with a panel. Also included in the keyboard is an power adaptor and usb hub, maybe even a wireless connection.

The idea is to well tidy up the Raspberry Pi and contain it in one physical package while at the same time adding extra functionality to the device like a powered usb hub and a single power point to power it all.

I am thinking along the likes of the old ataris and amstrads and commodores.

Any thoughts on something like this? What feature could be added?

[Chris]

Loads of people already have this planned, some even thinking of using old commodores for it and amigas

[Jayson]

If i could get it in an old white c64 box i would be happy lol and it has to mak the loading noise and screen when booting programs lol

[Jayson]

And here are some C64 emulators for linux wonder how they would hold up on the raspberry pi.

http://www.zophar.net/linux/c64.html

And why emulate a c64 inside its own keyboard instead of just using an original? Simple if i want to stop using it as a c64 i turn it off and back to a linux box

[xxxstarmanxxx]

I know its a brutal thing to do but I plan something like for my Pi - along with a portable screen

[bj11314]

How about a screen with a hole in the back with hdmi, power for the pi and a usb hub with a tv tuner and a wireless keyboard/mouse receiver with a panel to secure it. Voila, smart tv, AIO.

[hippy]

There's been a long history of people putting mini-ITX boards in weird and wonderful boxes and hopefully we'll see much the same thing happening with the R-Pi. After all, why shouldn't the Design and Craft guys get a look-in with the R-Pi

I'm personally wondering who will present the first "R-Pi in a bottle" project. One collection of examples ( scroll down half-way or follow links on the right ) ...

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects.asp

[Lob0426]

One of my favorite site for looking at case mods is:
http://www.neatorama.com/tag/case-mod/

[Warringer]

I plan to try and get me a second G15 to see if I can build a Pi into it. I could even try to use the display... :p

[Lob0426]

The G15 is packed pretty tight inside. It also is a membrane design inside. It would be nice to use that keyboard. The older display is monochrome. I never have checked for Linux drivers for the G15. You might me able to build a box underneath it to housebthe RasPi.

[jewesque]

*cries a little*

Please don't destroy more of my beloved C64s! It was my first computer! Long nights of Jumpman and Ultimate Wizard come back fondly to me!

[Bacan]

I understand and can even feel for the love of the older machines.

And as I remember, those keyboards were CRAP!

At least all the personal computer machines I tried. How the keyboard
feels and reacts, is only second in importance to the display. Using a
HDTV 1080p display and the price got me to start looking at the R-Pi.

[obarthelemy]

And as I remember, those keyboards were CRAP!

Mmmm someone never used a ZX 81 or Spectrum !

[Tide]

Poppycock!
Build your own version of the Altair 8800: toggle switches and led's

pro: you don't even need a keyboard or monitor!
con: no keyboard or monitor

[Bacan]

Actually, I built an IMSAI 8080 from a kit for my local BYTE Shop in California.
Has a sexy look with the red LEDs, dark plexiglass front and multi-colo(u)r switches, and wickedly dangerous with sharp sheet metal edges and points, with exposed voltages.

Darn. Wanted to post a image. See it at the IMSAI 8080 site: http://www.imsai.net/

??? How do you post/paste in an image to the forum message? ???
I clicked the image icon and got the / commands, can't get the image into the message.

As for my using the ZX 81 or Spectrum, very true. Those were not over here in California.
The very best keyboard for feel was on a friend's Processor Tech SOL-20, a SF Bay Area company.
At college, we used VT52s and later VT100s at consulting for client projects .

[abishur]

Quote from Bacan on October 20, 2011, 15:55
??? How do you post/paste in an image to the forum message? ???
I clicked the image icon and got the / commands, can't get the image into the message.


Check the bottom of the Raspberry Pi 101 (Read before Posting) thread as it has a link which will answer that exact question

[Bacan]

abishur- Thanks. I missed that bit of wisdom / gem when I did my Read before Posting requirement.