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Pi Desktop
The Pi Desktop is a desktop computer kit that has been designed to be used in conjunction with a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3. The contents of this kit fit securely inside the included stylish case, which allows you to conceal everything within the enclosure to keep things nice and tidy. With the Pi Desktop you will be able to convert your Raspberry Pi into a full PC with WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth(R), Real-Time Clock (RTC), Camera and SSD (sold separately) capabilities. Once it is put together all you need to do is connect the Pi Desktop to a keyboard through USB and a display through HDMI --- then enjoy a full PC experience!
This kit includes an add-on board that plugs into the 40-pin GPIO connector of the Pi and helps to connect a high-capacity external Solid State Drive (SSD) via mSATA interface for up to 1TB of extended memory. The Pi Desktop also offers an RTC and an intelligent power management controller to keep track of time and turn the Pi on/off or reboot without unplugging the USB power cable.
Note: This kit does NOT include a Raspberry Pi, which will need to be purchased separately. Please read through what the kit includes below, as well as additional required items in the User Manual.
Please be aware: This kit does NOT work with the Raspberry Pi 4, due to the new layout of the board. On the Pi 4 the USB & Ethernet ports have been moved and the HDMI socket was swapped for two micro HDMI sockets. However, it does work quite well with the Rasberry Pi 3B+
- 1x Add-On Board
- 1x Heat Sink
- 1x Enclosure (Base and Lid)
- 1x Button Battery Cell (CR2032)
- 1x USB Adapter (Micro-Type A)
- 2x Screws
- 4x Long Spacer
- 4x Short Standoff
Pi Desktop Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: DIY
Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.
Skill Level: Rookie - Basic hand tools are required and instructions will allow more freedom. You may need to make your own decisions on design. If sewing is required, it will be free-form.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Comments
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Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5
Based on 9 ratings:
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Very pleased
Simple and powerful for the price
Makes a great media server
So after sorting out my misunderstanding which versions of the RasPi board would fit, I loaded up the software, added Kodi to it and hooked it into my entertainment system. Makes a great little media player which can pull files from any machine in my home.
0 of 2 found this helpful:
Not the best thing I ever ordered
Despite numerous tutorials out there, this thing is not ready for prime time
0 of 1 found this helpful:
Must-have RasPi accessory
The instructions leave a little to be desired especially when dealing with the SSD, but overall the case is an excellent choice for those wanting to use there RasPi as a desktop machine. It performs quite well for its size.
Great kit, quality of components, perfect workmanship, professional raspberry look!
Great kit, quality of components, perfect workmanship, professional raspberry look, the only problem is the lack of documentation, needed to come to the PDFs, would help in the tests.
RTC I´m try, but don´t works fine, I think the problem is version of my custon kernel :(
This is a great way to package the Pi3. It sets on my desk, right under my monitor. I had no problems building it up. I loaded the software attached it to my home network and went right to the Internet. I have several application I want it to control. I can connect to the Pi Desktop from any computer on my home network. Great product!!!
Great Solution
Safe container for my Raspi and 128GB SSD. All connectors are easily accessible, and the power-on /off feature is great.
Slick but maybe not ergonomic
While having this enclosure on my desk makes having a Raspberry Pi seem like a "real computer" it is very difficult to open. And it is particularly tedious to access to the SD Card (requires completely disassembling the unit).
I do not have an SSD drive, so I can't comment on that functionality.
What technology does it use to interface to the SSD? SPI? USB? I'm wondering about the performance.
USB. The set includes a USB jumper to connect the add-on board to the Pi (it's visible in a couple of the product images - a black plastic block with USB A and USB micro B plugs protruding from it) - so it sits on the outside of the case and uses one of the Pi's USB ports.
Is the case metal or plastic?
It is plastic. :)
Could you add some links to your recommended SSD options? A 1 TB option and a smaller cheaper option. Thanks
Usually I would go with either Samsung or Intel chipset styles that being said. There many good brands out there and quick pricing for a 1TB SAMSUNG 850 EVO mSATA 1TB about US$390. For something cheaper an Intel 535 180GB drive are going for around US$129.
Would this work for running Linux cnc?
there's nothing about this that makes the pi any more suitable to linuxcnc than it is normally.
it looks like machinekit is available for the pi, but i'd suggest use of the beagleboard instead, what with its programmable realtime units.
I was just curious if the add on board with RTC capability would allow the Pi run a real time OS. I'll look into the beagle bone though, thanks for the suggestion.
ah. no, as far as i know the RTC would just give it the ability to keep time when off. you can do a real time OS without that, and it does look like there are RT kernels for the pi.