Maker Builds Handheld PC with Raspberry Pi CM5
A hardware maker has built a smartphone-sized handheld PC powered by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. The custom device features a QWERTY keyboard and an AMOLED display. The project's printed circuit boards were designed using EasyEDA and fabricated by JLCPCB.
- The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 is based on the same silicon as the full-sized Raspberry Pi 5, featuring a Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4 GHz. This provides a 2-3x CPU performance increase over the previous generation CM4, making it powerful enough to emulate later retro consoles like the GameCube and Wii. - The CM5 is designed for embedded and industrial applications, packing its I/O into two 100-pin high-density connectors instead of the standard ports. Key additions over its predecessor include two USB 3.0 ports, a PCIe Gen 2 interface, and dual 4-lane MIPI interfaces for cameras or displays. - For storage, the module offers multiple onboard eMMC flash options (up to 64GB), with "Lite" versions available that omit the eMMC in favor of an SD card interface. This flexibility allows builders to choose between integrated storage for a compact build or user-expandable storage. - The use of EasyEDA, a free, web-based circuit design tool, and JLCPCB for manufacturing is a common workflow for indie hardware developers and bootstrappers. This combination dramatically lowers the cost and complexity of producing custom PCBs, moving it from an industrial process to one accessible to individual makers. - This project is part of a larger trend of makers creating bespoke handheld devices, often for retro gaming or as portable Linux terminals. The power of single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi and the accessibility of custom PCB manufacturing have fueled a vibrant community of open-source and indie hardware creation.
