Pi-Top isn’t the first 3D printed laptop powered by the Raspberry Pi, but it may be the first 3D printed laptop that acts as the basis for an entire computer science curriculum. Currently on Indiegogo, Pi-Top is a DIY computer that teaches users how to DIY.
Pi-Top was founded by hardware engineer Ryan Dunwoody and software engineer Jesse Lozano as an accessible tool for teaching novices how to build their own laptops using low-cost electronics, specifically the powerful and affordable Raspberry Pi computer. In purchasing a Pi-Top, with an early bird Indiegogo price of $269, users are purchasing their first lesson plan. The open source computer kit comes with instructions on how to build it, outlining every components’ function every step of the way, so that users learn how the computer works as they learn to put it together.
Though the kit comes with an injection molded case for the laptop, the computer is also accompanied by 3D printable .stl files so that users can begin learning to design their own custom case. The files can be printed on any printer with a minimum bed size of 5″ x 5″ x 5″, meaning that most printers can handle them. With that knowledge, and the experience of building a laptop, users can then move onto printing their own designs for their own hardware projects.
Building a piece of hardware like a 13.3″ screen laptop is an empowering experience, which is why Dunwoody and Lozano have also created a series of easy-to-follow lesson plans on the Pi-Top website. Once users have completed their first Pi project, they may be driven to learn more DIY skills using Pi-Top’s other Raspberry Pi kits. The company has a few different add-on boards, called HATs, that further extend the capabilities of the Pi, such as a Home Automation HAT for measuring the pressure, humidity, temperature, etc. in one’s home for automatic thermostat control and more. The company also has a Robot HAT for programming simple Pi-powered robots and an LCD HAT for mobile device and display applications.
According to the Indiegogo campaign, the Pi-Top kit comes with all of the following:
“1) Injection molded case
2) 3D printer STL files compatible for most print bed sizes (5″ x 5″ bed size and up)
3) PCBs – Power Management, HDMI to LVDS Bridge and Keyboard & Trackpad Controller.
4) Electronics breadboard
5) Battery
6) Keyboard
7) Trackpad
8) 13.3”HD LCD Screen
9) Wifi adapter
9) Acrylic slice
10) Wiring
11) DC wall plug
12) Build instructions
13) Online & integrated lesson plans”
This is only the beginning for Pi-Top. Having successfully fulfilled their crowdfunding campaign, the company will go on to mass produce the computer, before creating new HATs and lesson plans, including gamified lessons for easy learning.
Buying something, putting it together, and using it to make other things. If this is the future of consumer goods, I’m happy with the direction things are going! Check out the Indiegogo campaign here or watch their campaign video below for more information:
