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DevTerm by ClockworkPi
09-05-2021, 10:31 PM
Post: #1
DevTerm by ClockworkPi
I thought this new crowd-sourced device might be of some interest to forum members. The DevTerm is a small computer that is completely open-sourced, whose case and other parts are 3D-printed.

[Image: DevTerm_fig09.webp]

The DevTerm can be assembled without tools by snapping parts together. It includes a choice of several compute modules in M.2 format (I'm using the Raspberry Pi 3 compatible module running Raspbian). It has a full QUERTY keyboard, a 1280x480 display (double-wide VGA), and a thermal printer whose paper spool can be detached when not in use. There is also USB (3), WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI out.

I placed a preorder early in the year for delivery in May. Naturally it arrived on Friday (who knows a crowd-sourced project that ever shipped on time? Particularly in current circumstances.) It took only a couple of hours to assemble. I was quite pleased by the accuracy of the printed pieces and the clever way in which all the parts were assembled. The developers put a good deal of thought into the design and the way in which the PCBs are interconnected within the case. One PCB, the Ext. Module, is meant to be user designed and plugged in, the equivalent of an RPi hat. Several owners are already reported to be working on their own designs.

The keyboard connects to the main board via a four-pin pogo connector, has its own controller to communicate with the main board, and can also be replaced with a user designed keyboard. My first thought when I saw the DevTerm was "perfect HP-71B replacement!" One could take the keyboard design files, rearrange the key placement, and have a 71B with large display and printer. Well, in theory anyway. The keyboard is as wide as the 71B keyboard and half again as tall.

So, I'll load this guy up with some emulator programs and other software (SIMH comes to mind) and see how it performs. The keys are somewhat tiny and closely spaced, so I won't be writing the Great American Novel on the device, but the custom keyboard possibility certainly conjures up a few ideas. HP-97 workalike anyone?

~Mark

Remember kids, "In a democracy, you get the government you deserve."
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Messages In This Thread
DevTerm by ClockworkPi - mfleming - 09-05-2021 10:31 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - BobVA - 09-06-2021, 01:09 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - toml_12953 - 09-08-2021, 05:38 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - mfleming - 09-08-2021, 11:49 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - Sylvain Cote - 09-08-2021, 12:43 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - mfleming - 09-09-2021, 09:47 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - mfleming - 09-07-2021, 06:20 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - BobVA - 09-10-2021, 02:29 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - Garth Wilson - 09-08-2021, 06:07 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - Chr Yoko - 09-08-2021, 06:33 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - John Keith - 09-08-2021, 06:46 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - ijabbott - 09-10-2021, 12:49 AM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - mfleming - 09-10-2021, 12:27 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - Xorand - 09-14-2021, 03:34 PM
RE: DevTerm by ClockworkPi - Xorand - 09-14-2021, 06:08 PM



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