If you’d like a handheld computer that’ll make you look like a math nerd from 30 years ago, you’re in luck. Linux DIY computer maker ClockworkPi has released a new handheld kit called the PicoCalc.

About the size of a large smartphone, the first thing you’re gonna notice about the PicoCalc is its design reminiscent of a graphing calculator. Its retro style makes it seem like something you would expect to find in a college classroom in the 1990s. It has a built-in backlit QWERTY keyboard beneath its 4-inch IPS LCD display, and unlike some handhelds with keyboards, this one doesn’t fold or slide. It’s just a solid 167x97mm slab of ABS plastic containing its Raspberry Pi-powered guts.

Specifically, it runs a Raspberry Pi Pico, a tiny microcontroller board that’s cheap and versatile enough to be used in all kinds of devices. The PicoCalc contains the Raspberry Pi Pico 1 H core module, which has a RP2040 ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller along with 264KB of SRAM.

If that doesn’t sound like very much memory, that’s because it isn’t. This isn’t a high-powered computer meant to let you emulate any game you want. If you want a handheld Pi project with more capabilities, look into the Blackberry Pi we spotted last month. All the PicoCalc is meant for is development on the go and some low-resource game emulation, but also just about anything else a Pi Pico could do with a small display and keyboard.

In the case of the PicoCalc, the Pico sits on ClockworkPi’s custom “v2.0” mainboard. If you don’t want to use the included Pico 1 H, you can swap it out for a the Pico 1 WH, Pico 2, or Pico 2W models. They can get you double the SRAM and/or the addition of Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity. It’s up to you to decide if you need that.

The keyboard you’ll notice has arrow keys and other common computer keys like function buttons and a Tab button. The PicoCalc also has a pair of built-in speakers so you can hear that 8-bit retro music. There’s a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB-C port for charging and debugging, and a microSD card slot. For Raspberry Pi devices, the SD card is where all your software lives. Don’t go buying one for the PicoCalc, though; there’s a 32GB SD card included that ClockworkPi says has optimized firmware.

Keep in mind this isn’t a fully assembled and complete kit you can start using out of the box. It’s meant for DIYers, so it’ll be up to you to assemble the kit with its included hex key. You’ll also need batteries. It has slots for two rechargeable 18650 batteries, though ClockworkPi says the PicoCalc only needs one to operate. Still, I’d advise erring on the side of having more energy reserves than necessary over not having enough.

This isn’t ClockworkPi’s first handheld computer rodeo. They also released the uConsole in 2022, designed to be both a portable personal computer and a “fantasy console.” They also sell the DevTerm meant for handheld development, and the Gameshell dedicated to game emulation. So if the PicoCalc isn’t quite what you’re looking for, one of those might scratch you DIY Linux handheld itch.

You can buy the PicoCalc now from ClockworkPi’s website for $75. If you do buy it, don’t forget those 18650 batteries, which you can get for about $6 each.

Source: Liliputing